In 1958, the Humane Society of the United States California Branch was incorporated as a California non-profit organization. It operated under a charter granted by the Humane Society of the United States to the California Branch in the by-laws.

In 1972, the HSUS decided to close all their state branches and to establish the new concept of regional branches. By mutual agreement with the HSUS, the California Branch decided to establish an independent non-profit organization: Golden State Human Society.

HSUS granted GSHS its legal go-ahead. In December 1972, the Board of Directors of the former California Branch as well as the entire membership transferred to Golden State Humane Society. By 1978, all assets, monies, equipment and properties were legally transferred to GSHS and the HSUS-California Branch ceased to exist.

In 1972, the Board of Directors purchased property and established a low cost animal birth control center and health maintenance clinic on Haster Street in Garden Grove. In 1979, GSHS purchased property and built a second animal care center in Long Beach. Construction was completed, and the grand opening was celebrated in September 1979. In June 1987, the original location in Garden Grove was purchased by the City of Garden Grove through public domain.
With the cooperation and support of the city, we bought and opened our present animal care center and general offices on Gilbert St. in the City of Garden Grove

After 33 years of operation, our two Animal Birth Control Clinics perform 10,000 surgeries per year, and we treat another 50,000 animals in clinic visits.