Helping Pets & People Since 1883

In 1883, a young educator, Dr. John Herbert Phillips, came to Birmingham to direct the city’s floundering school system. Dr. Phillips realized that a well-rounded child must be taught humane values and compassion. To that end, he founded the Birmingham Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animals as well as the city’s first High School and Birmingham’s public library.

GBHS has worked through more than our share of obstacles and problems. And yet, when you consider our predecessors had to take uncharted steps through times of war, social upheaval, and economic uncertainty, it is a credit to uncounted supporters that we have not lost sight of our primary goals. Our mission is, always has been, and will be to “promote the humane treatment of people and animals through education, advocacy, and services”