The Home was founded in 1889 by Mrs Susan Murray as a place of refuge and shelter for stray and abandoned dogs and cats in the city and county of Aberdeen. This continues to be a central role for the Home with around 1000 such animals passing through each year.Mrs Murray's has expanded to offer care and rehoming facilities to a variety of small animals which, for a number of reasons, their owners can no longer keep. Animal boarding has also become an important function of the Home.

It is the only place in north-east Scotland offering this range of services. Apart from income from boarding, the cost of animal care has to be met largely from donations, legacies and other public support.