The Captive Breeding Committee was founded in the 1970s and was formed to assist members and promote responsible animal keeping and breeding. The work of the CBC has expanded over the years to include a wide range of activities, including helping to co-ordinate breeding projects, and advising government and other organizations on issues such as animal welfare, dangerous animals, husbandry, trade and legislation. The CBC publishes information booklets on keeping a range of commonly kept reptiles and amphibians, and has also produced a series of books containing more detailed applied and scientific articles. Many different species are now successfully bred by BHS members, and animals may be purchased through advertisements in the NatterJack (newsletter).

During the past few years the CBC has embarked on a major new initiative to collaborate with outside organizations and individuals to fund applied research on captive breeding and conservation projects. Funding for this initiative has come entirely from monies raised by the CBC from various activities, mainly from sales of our books. Five projects have been funded to date, including a contribution to the Mallorcan Midwife Toad Recovery Programme at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey), and a new collaboration for 2005 to study the biology and to breed the Madagascan rainbow frog at the Zoological Society of London.