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I lost my pet, how do I know if it is at Animal Care and Control?
CALL
You may call 205-591-6522.
We will try to determine if an animal fitting the description was picked up and impounded. Please be mindful that it is very difficult to identify mixed breed animals due to discrepancies and variations in descriptions. The best way to ensure the safe return of your lost animal is to ensure that your pet is wearing a collar with identification tags, a rabies tag, and has been micro-chipped. If the animal is wearing tags, the owner will be notified within 24 hours.
COME TO THE OFFICES
At 6227 5th Avenue North during public business hours. If it is after 7 days, we will also call our Snow Drive facility to see if your pet has been transferred there for adoption.
GO TO OUR WEBSITE
You may go to www.gbhs.org to see photographs of impounded animals. We do not post photographs of animals that are being held under the authority of local law enforcement.
We will post photographs of all animals not involved in cruelty investigations and cruelty charges within 24-hours of impoundment.
Please remember, animals will sometimes lose their tags or have them removed by someone. Even if your animal leaves home wearing a collar and tags, there is always a chance the collar may not be on when the animal is picked up. Stray, rescued and at large animals that are picked up are held for seven days. Animals involved in a bite must be quarantined for 10 days. -
What does it cost to get my pet out of impoundment?
Jefferson County requires us to charge citizens to reclaim their pets. Jefferson County sets the fee schedule for reclaiming your animal. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society and/or Animal Care and Control do not keep any of the fees charged for reclaiming. We are required to forward all reclaim fees to Jefferson County. We accept cash, credit or debit cards as a payment method. Please see the Jefferson County fee schedule.
What do I need to bring with me to reclaim my pet?
We must ensure that we do everything we can to release pets to their rightful owners. This is especially important since some dealers in animals look for animals to sell for purposes that our organization fights against.
In order to reclaim a pet that has been impounded you must have the following with you:
• Required reclaim fee (Cash, Credit Card or Debit Card; no checks accepted.)
• A legal form of identification
• Proof of ownership (any one of the following):
• Vet records
• Picture of you and your pet
• Signed statement from a neighbor or relative
• Collar and leash or carrier. No animal will be allowed to leave our facility without being leashed or confined to a carrier.
• Evidence of rabies vaccination.What if I can’t afford the fee?
All fines must be paid to reclaim your pet.
Animal Care and Control has my pet but hasn’t taken it to impoundment yet. Can I reclaim on the spot?
If you have proof of ownership and proof that the animal has a current rabies vaccination you may reclaim without being charged any fees. If you cannot produce proof of rabies vaccination, your pet will be impounded.
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What services does Animal Care and Control provide?
We assist with a wide variety of calls within our jurisdiction, including the following:
Regulate uncontrolled domestic animals
Assist with bites and attacks by aggressive animals
Investigate reports of possible animal cruelty and neglect
Pick up stray animals
Pick up confined strays
Pick up loose animals without proper rabies identification
Rescue injured animals
Keep records of lost/found cats and dogs
When do I call the police to report animal abuse?
If you wish to file an animal abuse report, please call your local police department. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can submit an anonymous report with GBHS on 205-591-6522.
How do I file a complaint?
To speak to a GBHS Animal Control Officer about a potential complaint, call our GBHS Animal Care and Control office at 205-591-6522. Depending on your jurisdiction, our dispatchers will either send an Animal Control Officer or refer you to your local animal control officer or law enforcement agency to investigate your complaint. If the officer sees a violation when he/she arrives, appropriate action will be taken.
What constitutes “cruelty or neglect to an animal?” Animal Care and Control has my pet but hasn’t taken it to impoundment yet. Can I reclaim on the spot?
If you have proof of ownership and proof that the animal has a current rabies vaccination you may reclaim without being charged any fees. If you cannot produce proof of rabies vaccination, your pet will be impounded.
• Pet owners must provide proper food, water, and adequate shelter for animals at-all-times.
• The animal must be fed at least once every twenty-four (24) hours and have clean, fresh, drinkable water available at-all-times.
• Shelter must be a structure that is adequate to provide protection from the weather and keeps the animal dry and well maintained.
• The size of the shelter must be in proportion to the size of the animal.
• Inflicting inhumane pain or suffering or failing to provide veterinary care also constitutes cruelty.
Violations should be reported by calling Animal Care and Control at 205-591-6522.What do I do if I suspect organized animal fighting is going on in my community?
Report suspected organized animal fighting to your local law enforcement agency.
Do I have to sign anything if I call in a cruelty or neglect complaint?
YOU CAN REMAIN 100% ANONYMOUS WHEN REPORTING IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO SO. If it is not a complaint that we are authorized to investigate, you must contact your local law enforcement agency and will most likely be asked to file a police report that you may have to sign.
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How many veterinarians provide medical care for the animals at Animal Care and Control?
We contract with GBHS Spay/Neuter & Critical Care Clinic to provide 1 full-time veterinarian and 1 Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) for Animal Care and Control.
How many animal control officers and impoundment staff does Animal Care and Control employ?
Animal Care and Control staffing is as follows:
Animal Control Officers: 5 full-time. Our animal control officers rotate on-call shifts so that we can provide after-hours service.
Impoundment Services and Animal Care: 5 full-time.
Dispatch: 2 full-time
A full-time Director of Animal Care and Control -
What do I do if I find a stray?
If you find a stray in our jurisdiction between 10:00AM- 4:30PM, you can bring it to The Jefferson County Animal Control building, located at 6227 5th Avenue N, Birmingham, AL 35212. You can call also call 205-591-6522 and a dispatcher will have an officer respond to your call.
I found a stray but cannot bring it to you, can you meet me to pick up the stray animal?
If you find a stray within our jurisdiction, please call one of our officers at 205-591-6522. If you are not located within our jurisdiction, our dispatchers will transfer you to the proper team.
A stray animal is an animal that you find loose and/or that you have been caring for 29 days or less.If I find an injured stray animal, will you provide medical treatment for the injured animal?
If you are in an area in Jefferson County in which our officers do not have jurisdiction, you still may bring that animal to our Woodlawn for medical treatment and care.
I live in unincorporated Jefferson County where there are no leash laws. If my animal is found running loose, will it be picked up?
If your animal is uncontained and does not have a current rabies vaccination tag, it can be picked up by Animal Care and Control and impounded.
Can I trap stray cats or dogs that come into my yard?
Yes, as long as you use a humane trap that does not injure the animal. Depending on the jurisdiction, our officers will pickup any cat or dog caught in the trap upon notification. You must be home when the officer arrives.
Due to the threat of injury to our personnel, there are some situations involving animals that cannot be handled by the Animal Care and Control.Services we cannot provide include:
Are climbing into attics
Climbing trees
Disassembling any structures to get or remove animals.
There are a few private companies in the area that provide these services, and one or more of these companies should be contacted in these situations. Costs for these services are at the home or property owner’s expense.
Do I have to sign anything if I bring a stray to you or ask you to pick up a stray in your coverage area?
Yes. You will be asked to sign a stray surrender form. You will be asked to provide identification when you sign the form.
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Do you take owner surrenders?
We accept owner surrenders at our Snow Drive facility by appointment ONLY.
If you need to make an appointment to surrender your pet, please email [intake@gbhs.org].
There are many other options other than surrendering. Please visit our Pet Resources page to learn more. -
I’ve been bitten by an animal – what should I do?
All animal bites should be reported. This is a matter of public health and enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of Animal Care and Control. Any animal that bites someone must be placed in quarantine for a 10-day period. If you or any family member are bitten, call your local law enforcement agency immediately. A police officer will respond to take a report. If medical treatment is required, the doctor or hospital providing the treatment should report the incident. Every attempt should be made to identify the animal so the owner can be contacted and the necessary paperwork completed. If a wild animal is involved and cannot be located, you will be advised on what treatment is necessary.
My animal bit someone – what do I do?
The bite should be reported by calling Animal Care and Control at 205-591-6522 or your local law enforcement agency.
The animal must be placed in quarantine for a period of 10 days. This quarantine is required even if the animal has been vaccinated for rabies. You may be able to keep the animal at your home under certain circumstances and if the animal’s rabies vaccination is current.
If you don’t have a current rabies vaccination, under certain circumstances you can either board the animal at a veterinarian’s office or have it quarantined at Animal Care and Control.
Boarding fees at veterinarians vary and are the responsibility of the animal owner. The fee for boarding an animal at Animal Care and Control is also the responsibility of the animal owner. After the bite report is completed, our veterinarian will follow up on the observation and release of the animal from quarantine at the end of the quarantine period. -
How do I become a Rescue Partner?
Fill out the application here.
Does Animal Care and Control partner with rescue groups?
Yes. We require rescue groups to share in our mission of humane treatment to people and animals, and they must pass an application process to be approved as Rescue Partners. (Click here to download the application to become a Rescue Partner.)
What is the fee for a rescue group to receive adoptable animals from Animal Care and Control?
We will never charge a fee to approved rescue groups for partnering with us or for the transfer of animals. Donations to offset costs are always welcomed.
Does the Greater Birmingham Humane Society partner with rescue groups?
Yes. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is always excited to partner and work with new rescue organizations that share our mission to promote the humane treatment of people and animals.
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Who supervises the Auburn vet students?
The shelter medicine program is supervised by Russell Johnson, D.V.M.
What is GBHS’ role?
GBHS provides access to the animals at our Adoption Center & Animal Care and Control building. . We are also raising money to help offset the costs of our contract with GBHS Spay/Neuter & Critical Care Clinic. GBHS tracks all animals as part of important data gathering that will be used to study over population of animals located in our service area.
Can I take my pet to GBHS Spay/Neuter & Critical Care Clinic?
GBHS Spay/Neuter & Critical Care Clinic only accepts contracts from nonprofit animal shelters and GBHS approved rescue groups.