The Philippine Animal Welfare Society was founded in 1954 by British educator Muriel Jay, who was then residing in the Philippines. The members of this first wave were handpicked by its founder.

Nita Hontiveros, then one of the younger members, recalls that the group would make stuffed toys and other items which the members would then sell to raise fund. Other activities included a clinic to provide services to injured animals and two bicycle patrols, which pick up strays from the street.

When Muriel Jay went back to England, PAWS became less active and eventually slipped into dormancy. In 1986, Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco, the current PAWS President, reorganized PAWS with a handful of volunteers composing of veterinarians, educators and people from other professions. This became the original board of Directors.