The Greater Birmingham Humane Society
Our Mission
Since 1883, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society has existed to promote the humane treatment of people and animals through education, advocacy, and services. We are dedicated to helping every pet in our community live in a safe, loving home.
A Legacy of Compassion
Founded by educator Dr. John Herbert Phillips, our organization was built on the belief that a well-rounded community is taught values of kindness and compassion. For over 140 years, we have navigated many challenges to remain steadfast in our commitment to animal welfare.
How We Help
We operate with a deep commitment to animal care, providing services that extend well beyond the walls of our shelter. From our dedicated shelter facility to our comprehensive outreach and intake programs, we provide vaccinations, medical grooming, and behavioral support to keep pets and their families together whenever possible.
Your Partner in Adoption
Adopting a new family member is a joyful, life-changing journey, and we are here to ensure you find the perfect match. We believe in thoughtful, responsible adoption, which is why we encourage families to bring everyone along for a meet-and-greet to ensure compatibility. Our team works hard to support you throughout the process so you can focus on building a wonderful, long life with your new companion.
Join Our Mission
Are you ready to meet the pet who has been waiting for you? We invite you to view our adoptable animals online, visit our adoption center at 300 Snow Drive, or join us at one of our many community events. Whether you choose to adopt, volunteer, or donate, you are an essential part of the life-saving work we do every day.
- Helpful and friendly staff
- Clean and well-maintained facilities
- Adopted animals with health issues
10/19 - Barrel & Blues brings Southern supper, live music and fundraiser to Overture Tributary
Overture Tributary will host an evening of barbecue, spirits, live music and dancing while raising money for the Birmingham Humane Society.
10/17 - GBHS: 22 dogs rescued from hoarding, neglect situation
Animal Care & Control and veterinary teams responded to rescue 22 small dogs who needed help.
10/14 - Sylacauga begins next phase of effort to capture dogs along Highway 280
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society says it is moving ahead with a plan to capture dogs living along Highway 280 in Sylacauga. Cameras were installed Tuesday,
10/13 - Mobile Animal Services empties shelter as community steps during Hurricane Isaias
Community members stepped up to foster every dog before the storm, with dozens now finding permanent homes
10/10 - Columbus Humane takes in dogs from Alabama ahead of Hurricane Isaias
Six dogs evacuated from the Alabama Gulf Coast ahead of Hurricane Isias arrived in Columbus early Saturday morning and were taken in by Columbus Humane.The dogs
10/9 - MSPCA transports dozens of shelter dogs to Mass. ahead of Hurricane Isaias
Hurricane preparedness isn't just for people. MSPCA-Angell is transporting about 30 shelter dogs from Alabama to create critical space for animals in Hurricane Isaias' path.
10/9 - Documents could reveal how a Birmingham data-center site's value jumped $66 million in one hour
Defendants in a lawsuit have agreed to turn over documents related to three sales transactions that increased the property’s price.
9/30 - New Jefferson County Animal Care and Control facility to begin housing animals within weeks
Jefferson County has officially opened its new Animal Care and Control facility after years of planning and months of construction.
9/24 - Sylacauga, GBHS begin humane effort to trap stray dogs along Highway 280
The city of Sylacauga is partnering with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society to address a large pack of free-roaming dogs along Highway 280.
9/16 - Attorneys in three lawsuits aimed at Nebius AI Factory work to consolidate parts of cases
Attorneys in three lawsuits involving a proposed AI data center in Birmingham asked a judge to combine parts of the cases
9/11 - Dead chicken and geckos, 14 malnourished dogs found at Jefferson County home; woman charged
Jordan Ruth Allred, 36, is charged with 14 counts of second-degree cruelty to a dog or cat, according to court records made public Friday.
9/11 - Sylacauga prepares plan to capture Highway 280's feral dogs
SYLACAUGA, Ala. (WBMA) — After months of concern over free-roaming dogs along U.S. Highway 280, Sylacauga leaders are preparing to vote on a detailed plan to ca
9/2 - Sylacauga City Council delays vote on ordinance banning feeding feral dogs
Sylacauga City Council delayed a decision on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit feeding feral dogs, postponing a vote for another month after an hour of p
8/30 - Greater Birmingham shelter aims to empty every kennel
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is asking families to adopt pets and help empty every kennel before closing.
8/29 - New Jefferson County animal care facility marks a major upgrade
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society will manage a new animal care and control facility on Sydney Drive, replacing the outdated Woodlawn location.
8/24 - Hunger Games actor promotes Birmingham pet adoption
Actor Josh Hutcherson has adopted rescue pit bulls and promotes pet adoption.
8/12 - Pooches on the Patio at Vino
🐶 Vino to Host Pooches on the Patio 🐶 It’s pawty time! Bring your furry friends and enjoy an evening of delectable Mediterranean cuisine, Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails, and heartwarming fun—all while supporting the Greater Birmingham Humane So...
8/5 - $93.5K awarded by Remy Fund to 12 Birmingham nonprofits for animals | Bham Now
🐶 2026 REMY FUND RECIPIENTS: Bettering the lives of animals in Birmingham is a common goal of these 12 local non-profits.
8/5 - Dogs in the fight: Birmingham humane society CEO says AI factory cut $18 million from fundraising
Greater Birmingham Humane Society CEO Allison Black Cornelius says the nonprofit is looking for a backup location for its new medical campus.
7/28 - Dog Shelter Sues to Block Data Center That Risks Endangering 44,000 Animals
In Alabama, the pushback against AI data centers is turning into a dog fight.
7/22 - City of Jasper Animal Care & Control Temporarily Closes for Facility Improvements
City of Jasper Animal Care & Control Temporarily Closes for Facility ImprovementsAnimals Relocated to Walker County Animal Services During Temporary ClosureJASP
7/22 - Sylacauga City Council approves Greater Birmingham Humane Society agreement, advances recreation center project - Sylacauga News
SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council approved a series of resolutions, budget amendments, and project-related actions during its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21, following a work session that began at 5:00 p.m. in the Faye Hosey Chambers at City Hall. One of the […]
7/19 - Stephanie Salvago and Sammy from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society visit GDA
Stephanie Salvago and Sammy from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society visit GDA
7/18 - Jasper Animal Shelters limits intakes as renovations are set to begin
The shelter will only accept dangerous dogs, severely injured or sick animals and animals seized by law enforcement.
7/16 - Greater Birmingham Humane Society to the rescue over recalled rabies vaccine lots
Greater Birmingham Humane Society are offering free rabies vaccines for anyone who's pet was vaccinated with a recalled lot number.
10/22 - Some of the hoarding case dogs are ready for adoption. Here’s what their future families need to know. ❤️ These dogs deserve love, and they also need families who understand the care ahead. Most are timid and have had very little socialization. Feeling safe with new people and learning the routines of a home will take time, patience, and consistency, including help with house training. Before visiting, please consider their needs: • A securely fenced yard is recommended, as most have not learned to walk on a leash. • Homes must be without small children. • Some may benefit from another friendly dog, while others need to be the only pet. • Regular grooming is essential to their health and well-being and requires an ongoing commitment and expense. Our adoption teams will talk with you about each dog’s needs and help you determine whether your home is a good fit. Their adoption fee is $300, which helps offset the cost of their care. 📍 Snow Drive Adoption Center in Birmingham 📍 Walker County Animal Services in Jasper If you can provide the calm, safe home and patient care they need, we encourage you to come meet them. Available dogs vary by location. ❤️ Help support their continued care by donating at the link in our bio. Please share this update to help them find families prepared to meet their needs.
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10/20 - Maggie survived being shot. Now, she's preparing for another major surgery. When Maggie was found sheltering her puppy, Little Fella, beneath a boat, she was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Her injuries were extensive, including damage to her hip and elbow that would require multiple surgeries. But Maggie has come so far! ❤️ After successfully recovering from her first surgery, Maggie has been doing wonderfully with her loving foster family. Now, she's ready for the next major step in her recovery: elbow reduction surgery. While she still has a long road of healing ahead, we're so proud of the progress this sweet girl has made. Thanks to the dedication of our team, Dr. Dismukes, and the love of her foster family, Maggie is getting the care and comfort she needs every step of the way. Maggie's journey is a reminder of just how much lifesaving veterinary care can mean for an animal in need. ❤️ Donate at the link in our bio to help us continue providing critical medical care for animals who need us. 🐾 Share Maggie's story and join us in wishing this brave girl a successful surgery and a smooth recovery! #GBHS #MaggiesJourney #AnimalRescue #VeterinaryCare #BirminghamAL
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10/17 - These 22 dogs have a long road ahead, and we need your help. ❤️🐾 When GBHS received the call about 22 dogs living in heartbreaking conditions, our Animal Care & Control and veterinary teams responded immediately. Now safely in our care, these Schnauzer and Toy Poodle mixes are receiving the attention they desperately need. From veterinary examinations and vaccinations to extensive grooming, medical treatment, and spay/neuter surgeries, their journey to recovery is just beginning. For these 22 dogs, help arrived. But there will always be another call. ❤️ Donate today at https://ow.ly/97Ch50ZYIhw to help us provide the care these animals need and ensure GBHS is ready to respond whenever animals need us. 🐾 Share their story to help us rally our community around these 22 deserving dogs! #GBHS #AnimalRescue #AnimalWelfare #BirminghamAL #HelpUsAnswerTheCall
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10/16 - 🚨 22 DOGS RESCUED FROM A HOARDING AND NEGLECT SITUATION IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. Today, our Animal Care & Control and veterinary teams responded to a heartbreaking situation involving 22 small dogs who desperately needed help. The dogs were surrendered to GBHS, where our teams immediately began assessing their conditions and providing care. Many arrived with severely matted coats requiring medical shave-downs. Each dog is receiving veterinary examinations and vaccinations, and our team will work to address their individual medical needs. These 22 dogs have a long road ahead, and we need your help. The medical care required for a rescue of this size is significant, and GBHS will be responsible for covering these expenses. ❤️ Please consider donating at https://ow.ly/8WHn50ZYEGo to help us provide the veterinary care, grooming, and ongoing support these animals need. Your generosity also helps ensure that when the next call comes, we're ready to answer. We'll continue sharing updates as their care progresses. Thank you for standing with us and the animals who depend on us. ❤️🐾 #GBHS #AnimalRescue #AnimalWelfare #JeffersonCountyAL #BirminghamAL
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10/10 - Nearly 150 animals. Multiple states. One extraordinary day. ❤️🐾 Yesterday was only possible because people and organizations across the country came together with one goal: help animals safely reach their next destination while shelters prepare for the impact of Hurricane Isaias. From early-morning walks and crate loading at Snow Drive, to airport transfers, shelter handoffs, long drives, and flights north, nearly 150 animals were moved across multiple states in a single day. That is an incredible feat, and it took an incredible team to make it happen. To our shelter and rescue partners who opened their doors, accepted animals, coordinated transportation, and said “yes” when help was needed: thank you. To @BissellPetFoundation and every transportation partner who helped connect the pieces of this massive effort: thank you. To the shelters along the Gulf who trusted us to help move animals ahead of the storm: thank you. To our GBHS staff who worked late, arrived before sunrise, coordinated logistics, cared for animals, loaded crates, drove vans, and kept everything moving: thank you. To our volunteers who showed up at 4:00 AM, walked dogs, helped with loading and unloading, and stayed throughout the day to make sure every animal received care along the way: thank you. And to our donors and supporters, who make it possible for GBHS to say yes when animals and communities need us most: thank you. Yesterday was a powerful reminder of what can happen when shelters, rescues, foundations, volunteers, donors, and communities work together. We are incredibly proud of what this network accomplished today, and even more grateful to everyone who played a part. Nearly 150 animals are farther along in their journeys tonight because all of you showed up. ❤️ Donate to support GBHS and our emergency response efforts: https://gbhs.org/donate
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10/9 - And that’s the final ground transport of the day. ❤️🐾 After a full day of arrivals, departures, handoffs, walks, crates, vans, and one very busy airport, our final group of animals is officially on the road. These dogs, along with one cat, are heading north to continue their journeys with shelter and rescue partners in Ohio. Today took an incredible amount of coordination, and we are so grateful to every staff member, volunteer, shelter, rescue, transport partner, and supporter who helped move animals safely throughout the day. But we’re not closing the book just yet. The animals who boarded this morning’s flight are still making their way to their receiving shelters, and we’re following their journey too. We’ll share a full recap of this extraordinary day once everyone has reached their destinations. Stay tuned. There’s more to this story.
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10/9 - THE RESPONSE CONTINUES 🐾❤️ This morning, animals from Mobile City Animal Shelter and Mobile County Animal Shelter arrived at GBHS as shelters along the Gulf prepare for Hurricane Isaias. Our team and volunteers welcomed them, took the dogs for walks, and gave them much-needed time to stretch their legs before continuing their journey. Then, Kentucky Humane Society arrived to pick up a group of animals and take them north, where they will continue on toward adoption. And today isn’t over yet. Another shelter partner will arrive this afternoon to pick up additional animals, continuing a coordinated effort to move animals safely while Gulf Coast shelters prepare to respond to the storm. Emergency response takes shelters, transport partners, staff, volunteers, and communities all working together. We are incredibly grateful to Mobile City Animal Shelter, Mobile County Animal Shelter, Kentucky Humane Society, BISSELL Pet Foundation, and every organization helping make these transports possible. Stay tuned for the next chapter of the rescue journey!
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10/9 - Hurricane response starts before the storm arrives. ❤️🐾 As Hurricane Isaias approaches the Gulf, GBHS is working with our partners to prepare for animals and shelters that may need emergency assistance. Early this morning, our staff and volunteers began preparing dogs and cats already in our care for a journey north. Animals were walked, crates were loaded, vans were packed, and everyone worked together to get them safely to the airport and onto their flight. By transporting these animals to receiving shelter partners outside the storm’s path, we are positioning GBHS to receive and care for animals displaced or affected by Hurricane Isaias while helping shelters closer to the storm preserve the resources they may need in the days ahead. This kind of response takes an incredible network of people and organizations working together. We are grateful to @BissellPetFoundation, @mspca.angell, our staff, volunteers, and everyone helping these animals reach their destination safely. And while their plane heads north, our emergency response work here is just beginning. ❤️ Donate to support GBHS emergency response efforts: https://ow.ly/uRCw50ZWlbS 📲 Share this post to help others see what goes into preparing before disaster strikes. @BISSELLPetFoundation @mspca.angell
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10/9 - Tomorrow, we take flight. ✈️🐾 But first? Health checks, travel preparations, assembling crates, and a whole lot of teamwork! Our staff has been working late into the night preparing for a major emergency transport that will help GBHS make room for animals coming from shelters in the hurricane's path. It's a lot of work, but every crate assembled and every animal prepared brings us one step closer to helping more pets in need. ❤️ Donate at https://ow.ly/6TNh50ZW8am to support our emergency response, and share this reel to show some love to the incredible team making it happen! Stay tuned. Tomorrow is a big day. ❤️ Get ready @mspca.angell! #GBHS #DisasterResponse #AnimalRescue #BehindTheScenes #HurricaneResponse
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10/7 - 🚨 WE NEED CRATES. RIGHT NOW. 🚨 GBHS has been activated for emergency response ahead of Hurricane Isaias, and we are preparing to move animals so we can help create space for shelters along the Gulf Coast. Our biggest need right now: CRATES. 🐶 All sizes needed ‼️ Large + XL especially needed 🐱 Cat carriers needed, too ❤️ New or gently used, clean, and secure 📍 DROP OFF 24/7 GBHS 300 Snow Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209 Leave them at our front entrance. We need them as soon as possible. No crate? Donate through the link in our bio to support our emergency response. Then SHARE THIS VIDEO. Send it to your friends, neighbors, and community groups. Someone has a crate sitting in their garage that could help us move an animal to safety. ❤️🐾 #HurricaneIsaias #DisasterResponse #GBHS #AnimalRescue #BirminghamAL #HurricaneResponse
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10/6 - Whatever happened before Riggs came to us, he still chooses to trust people. ❤️ He arrived severely underweight, but underneath it all we found the sweetest little guy with a big heart... and a pretty goofy side. 🧸 Now it’s our turn to show Riggs just how good people can be. ❤️ Donate to help us care for Riggs and pets like him, then share his story so we can find the incredible family he deserves. #GBHS #ShelterDog #RescueDog #DogTok #AdoptGBHS
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