In celebration of a century of service to the community, the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society marked the milestone anniversary with a champagne toast and reception on Sunday afternoon at its Gloucester shelter.

The organization has endured major changes in the years since its founding in 1912, all the while growing by leaps and bounds thanks to its many dedicated volunteers and leaders.

Last week, executive director Ellen Thacker reflected on some of the major accomplishments that have been made by the organization over the past century, and the list was a long and storied one.

"We are the oldest, continuously operating animal welfare organization in the country," Thacker said. "And that’s an amazing thing for our relatively small community … We wanted to raise our glass and toast the 100 years of volunteers and support that has made it possible."

Just this year, Thacker said the GMHS established a policy that all animals that leave the shelt...