On 11.11.1844, the Wiesbaden Animal Welfare Association was founded as an "Association against cruelty to animals". The reason for this was the common practice at the time of using dogs as draught animals for heavy loads. About three years later, it was dissolved because a corresponding police ordinance made cruelty to animals a punishable offense. On June 11, 1875 (official founding date), the association was founded for the second time. Its activities now also focused on stray dogs and cats, which had become a problem for the city. It also took care of wild animals, especially birds.

In 1946, the "Tierschutzverein Wiesbaden und Umgebung e.V." was founded for the third time. The city transferred the administration and maintenance of the animal shelter founded in 1953 at Spelzmühlenweg 1, which has since been expanded and partially rebuilt, to the animal protection association. In 1975, the animal welfare association was awarded the Golden City Plaque for its services.