The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) was established in 1979 by a small group of committed and passionate animal lovers. The Society was officially registered by the Bahrain Ministry of Labor as a humane, charitable, non-profit organisation dedicated to the welfare of animals. The Society is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and receives no official funding whatsoever. The Society depends on the generosity of the public for its funds as well as monies generated by the Thrift Shop. Operating as a charity, it is regulated by the Ministry of Social Development under the auspices of the Non-Government Organisations department. It does not receive funding from the government.