DVB AALAS began in March, 1960 with a small group of concerned professionals. The first meeting, held at the Faculty Club at the University of Pennsylvania, crystallized the Philadelphia Chapter of the Animal Care Panel. The by-laws were modeled after the New York Branch with Section 3 changed to read "Dues of $3 per year are to be paid as of April 1960 and each subsequent year" By April of 1960 the first officers were elected and a constitution and by-laws had been adopted.

The first meeting was held June 1960 at the Wistar Institute cafeteria. The Branch became officially affiliated in August 1960. As the first Animal Care Panel grew to become the national organization now known as the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, the Philadelphia Chapter continued its association with the National AALAS.

A more complete history of the Branch can be found in the AALAS publication "50 Years of Laboratory Animal Science".