Allison joined GBHS in 2014 after serving as a consultant and interim executive director. She brings a wealth of expertise, including consulting, project management, and fundraising services to government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and the nonprofit sector. She has trained more than 1,000 nonprofit boards and raised more than $30 million for charity through her public presentations.Allison received her public policy, nonprofit, governance, and leadership education at the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Initiative and completed Advanced Board Consulting at BoardSource.
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We understand that making the decision to surrender a pet is very difficult and we are committed to. There are many reasons that might cause you to consider surrendering your pet. If you would like to keep your pet but need help solving a problem, we may be able to provide resources to help you keep your pet in your home.
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society lovingly remembers one of the pets' biggest champions. Many of us didn't know Carolyn away from the GBHS. But, to all of us, it was evident that she was kind, thoughtful, had a keen mind for business, loved animals and was extraordinarily generous with her resources for the things she cared about.
In 1979, a small group of women founded the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary (GBHSA). The purpose of the organization was to assist the Greater Birmingham Humane Society by volunteering and raising funds to support their many programs and community efforts. That practice continues today, as the Auxiliary celebrates more than 30 years of service.
Check out our adoptable pets below or swing by our Adoption Center to meet them in person. While new pets are available for adoption daily, photos are only taken Monday through Friday. Pets added to the site over the weekend should have photos available by Monday evening. If you find a pet that you are interested in adopting, you may download our GBHS Adoption Application and bring it in with you to expedite the adoption process.
Reviews (10)
Mocha Coaco
Jun 20, 2022
Brittany Hodge
May 12, 2022
Earlier this week I welcomed an 8 week old kitten into my home. The staff neglected to let me know of her health issues before bringing her home and she passed this morning. I tried calling just incase they didn't know and was left on hold for over an hour and when the call was finally picked up they immediately hung up. Her sickness is contagious and I was only trying to make sure no one else has to go through this devastating experience. I wouldn't recommend adopting from here unless you go to the vet immediately!
Leah Davis
Apr 16, 2022
I have never been to the humane society and I had a picture in my head of some dark, dreary, sad place where animals are being held like prisoners. I was definitely wrong. The ladies at the front desk were absolutely amazing and pleasant. The place was clean and nice. And of course the animals just all made you fall in love with them all. I ended up adopting a kitten and it was such a fast and easy process that I literally did it on my lunch break from work.
Diana Diana
Apr 10, 2022
I've been angry about this for a long time, but I've been hesitant if I should post it. I'm finally caving. My sister-in-law and her family of 3 kids adopted their *first dog ever* from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. His name was Declan. They adopted him a month ago. Their kids were so excited! We met him the next day. We could tell from the day we met him something wasn't right.
He was a 6mo old puppy, and all he wanted to do was sleep. He was uninterested in food or treats. He went into their yard after much encouragement and laid down under a bush. His eyes were watery. We were worried and so were his new owners, but they were told by GBHS that "he had a cold" and "most dogs from a kennel do" and they had been given antibiotics to continue for him.
They were told this was all normal. A couple days later after more lethargy and not eating, they brought him to a vet. Lab work and tests and $$$ later and they thought possible parvo or leukemia. Another week goes by and he is taken to another vet for a second opinion. More tests and iv fluids and he is sent home. He goes up and down a bit, is given some antifungals, and starts having a tic, and then seizures, and again goes back to the vet.
He improves for a day or so, then declines one night last week. He had seizures all night long. He was brought back in, and, less than 4 weeks from purchase from GBHS, had to be euthanized. Distemper. My nephews & niece got their first puppy, and he didn't make it 1 month. I've included a picture of his back yard grave that my husband helped dig. My niece painted rocks and decorated it. Yes, GBHS is aware of the situation.
No reimbursement of vet bills has been made. Since the incident, Declan's vet has seen another dog with distemper. Please be cautious when adopting from GBHS. Be sure your pet is healthy before you fall in love. Listen, I know the GBHS is a charitable organization with many volunteer workers who are just doing their best. I'm sure they're overrun and under-resourced.
But I feel like the Veterinarian on duty should have caught this. They shouldn't have been told it's normal for a dog to have a "cold" upon adoption. Even on adoption day, Declan, a 6mo German shepherd mix was not energetic. And though I know it won't bring him back, I feel like GBHS could've reimbursed at least some of his several emergent vet visits. I love my cats that I've gotten from GBHS and never had a problem. Maybe this is just a one off. But I just felt like people should know. Greater Birmingham Humane Society
He was a 6mo old puppy, and all he wanted to do was sleep. He was uninterested in food or treats. He went into their yard after much encouragement and laid down under a bush. His eyes were watery. We were worried and so were his new owners, but they were told by GBHS that "he had a cold" and "most dogs from a kennel do" and they had been given antibiotics to continue for him.
They were told this was all normal. A couple days later after more lethargy and not eating, they brought him to a vet. Lab work and tests and $$$ later and they thought possible parvo or leukemia. Another week goes by and he is taken to another vet for a second opinion. More tests and iv fluids and he is sent home. He goes up and down a bit, is given some antifungals, and starts having a tic, and then seizures, and again goes back to the vet.
He improves for a day or so, then declines one night last week. He had seizures all night long. He was brought back in, and, less than 4 weeks from purchase from GBHS, had to be euthanized. Distemper. My nephews & niece got their first puppy, and he didn't make it 1 month. I've included a picture of his back yard grave that my husband helped dig. My niece painted rocks and decorated it. Yes, GBHS is aware of the situation.
No reimbursement of vet bills has been made. Since the incident, Declan's vet has seen another dog with distemper. Please be cautious when adopting from GBHS. Be sure your pet is healthy before you fall in love. Listen, I know the GBHS is a charitable organization with many volunteer workers who are just doing their best. I'm sure they're overrun and under-resourced.
But I feel like the Veterinarian on duty should have caught this. They shouldn't have been told it's normal for a dog to have a "cold" upon adoption. Even on adoption day, Declan, a 6mo German shepherd mix was not energetic. And though I know it won't bring him back, I feel like GBHS could've reimbursed at least some of his several emergent vet visits. I love my cats that I've gotten from GBHS and never had a problem. Maybe this is just a one off. But I just felt like people should know. Greater Birmingham Humane Society
Charles Bernhard
Mar 18, 2022
Smod
Feb 06, 2022
Bart Styes
Dec 18, 2021
Kenyatta Peoples
Sep 21, 2021
I wish my work load wasn't so intense so I didn't have to return this sweet baby! His name is Nel, and unfortunately I live alone with no other pets or kids for him to interact with so I had to return him. But i have no doubt the wonderful staff there will take great care of him and the others until they find their forever homes.
Keith Fame
Jul 21, 2021
Luan Brashaw
Jul 19, 2021
GBHS was very helpful when I wanted to adopt a kitten. This bundle of joy, pictured below, is Hela. You can fill out an application for adoption online, visit the animal you would like to adopt and finish the paperwork at the shelter. It is quite a simple process and the staff is professional, polite and helpful. The shelter is clean and seems to be well managed.
The animals at the shelter were clean, fed and healthy. I just had Hela checked out by the vet I use regularly and she is healthy. The adoption fee is $25 & I think that is a deal considering Hela was up to date on vaccinations, spayed, chipped and came with her complete medical history. GBHS also includes a wellness check certificate good for a free wellness check at participating (VCA) vets in with the adoption paperwork. Overall a very good experience adopting through this shelter.
The animals at the shelter were clean, fed and healthy. I just had Hela checked out by the vet I use regularly and she is healthy. The adoption fee is $25 & I think that is a deal considering Hela was up to date on vaccinations, spayed, chipped and came with her complete medical history. GBHS also includes a wellness check certificate good for a free wellness check at participating (VCA) vets in with the adoption paperwork. Overall a very good experience adopting through this shelter.
