News Summary
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society has elevated the Pell City Animal Care and Control facility to priority status to improve operations and animal welfare. This includes necessary repairs and staff training. GBHS aims to assess the facility comprehensively and temporarily pause operations. Meanwhile, a new animal care complex is being constructed in Jefferson County, promising improved facilities. Legislative measures are also being advanced to enhance animal protection regulations in Alabama, showcasing a commitment to humane treatment.
Pell City, Alabama – The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) has designated the Pell City Animal Care and Control (PCACC) facility as priority-one status, aiming to enhance its operations and improve the overall welfare of animals in the region. This new status facilitates necessary repairs, staff training, and a comprehensive evaluation of the facility.
Management of the PCACC was transitioned to GBHS in April with the goal of upgrading animal welfare programs. Over the next 30 days, GBHS will conduct a thorough assessment of the facility’s capacity and processes. Following the evaluation, shelter operations will be restructured to ensure a higher standard of animal care.
During this reassessment period, the facility’s operations will temporarily pause. GBHS aims to evaluate various components, including technology, protocols, and the facility’s overall needs. The intention is to reopen PCACC as a professionally operated center that adheres to GBHS’s core values of transparency, safety, and humane treatment.
As part of the transition, all animals currently at PCACC will be relocated to other GBHS facilities or rescue partners. The only animals remaining at the facility will be those with severe injuries, significant risks of euthanasia, law enforcement-related cases, and dogs deemed dangerous.
In addition to elevating the standards of the current animal care facility, a new animal care and control complex is under construction in Jefferson County. The groundbreaking for this facility is taking place this week at a location on 1052 Sydney Drive, in Oxmoor Corporate Park, situated on a 6.5-acre site. The project is projected to cost around $26 million and is anticipated to be completed by November 2025.
The design for the new complex includes a spacious 36,174-square-foot building, which will unify various animal care services, creating a centralized location for operations. The construction contract has been awarded to Stone Building Company, with BL Harbert International serving as the construction manager. GBHS is actively raising funds to support the construction of this state-of-the-art facility.
Alongside these improvements, Alabama lawmakers are advancing legislative measures aimed at enhancing animal protection regulations in the state. House Bills 149 and 249 have been introduced, addressing critical issues related to animal welfare.
House Bill 249 intends to classify the abandonment of an animal without sufficient care as a Class A misdemeanor, imposing stricter penalties for offenders. It will also provide protections for city or county employees who rescue animals in good faith. Meanwhile, House Bill 149 focuses on regulating the tethering of animals, instituting additional rules concerning outdoor chaining practices.
Emphasizing the dangers associated with tethering animals, GBHS leadership has underscored the importance of clarifying these legislative measures to ensure better protection for animals in the state. Both bills are currently under review by the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee.
As the Greater Birmingham Humane Society works diligently on these initiatives, the combined efforts to enhance animal welfare, alongside legislative backing, signify a strong commitment to promoting humane treatment and care of animals within Pell City and the surrounding areas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Birmingham Small Business Week 2023 Celebrates Local Entrepreneurs
Birmingham, Alabama Proposes New Legislation for Dog Welfare
Severe Weather Causes Flooding in Birmingham, AL
New Pet Hospital Opening in Liberty Park
Elephants Display Teamwork During Southern California Earthquake
Elephants at San Diego Zoo Form Protective Circle During Earthquake
Big Changes at the FDA Amid Bird Flu Concerns
Hoover, Alabama Hosts First Annual Great Golden Gathering
Sylacauga Students Excel in Medical Honor Society
Birmingham Zoo Opens Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing
Additional Resources
- ABC 33/40 – Birmingham Animal Shelter Limits Intake
- Wikipedia: Animal Control
- Bham Now – Jefferson County Animal Care Facility
- Google Search: Animal shelter news
- WVTM 13 – Greater Birmingham Humane Society Expansion
- Google Scholar: Animal welfare legislation
- WBRC – Proposed Animal Care Laws Stricter
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Welfare
- Hoover Sun – Remy Fund for Pets
- Google News: Animal shelter updates
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
