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Greater Birmingham Humane Society

EIN 63-0288810 · Birmingham, AL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AND PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND SERVICES.

Income
$8.0 million
Spending
$8.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
125
Volunteers
237
Highest pay
$169,853, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    34 of 35 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $6.6 million spent. GBHS IS ALABAMA'S OLDEST AND LARGEST ANIMAL SHELTER. WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS SERVED BY 270% SINCE 2014. GBHS RESCUES MORE THAN 24,000 HOMELESS, ABUSED, AND NEGLECTED ANIMALS ANNUALLY. WE MANAGE ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL FOR JEFFERSON AND WALKER COUNTIES AND MULTIPLE MUNICIPALITIES IN FOUR COUNTIES, RESPONDING 24/7 TO THOUSANDS OF EMERGENCY CALLS EACH YEAR. OUR HOSPITAL AND SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC PROVIDE THE VETERINARY CARE AND S/N SURGERIES FOR ALL GBHS PETS, AND OUTREACH CLIENTS. GBHS' VETERINARY EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM HAS IMPROVED SOFT TISSUE SURGICAL SKILLS FOR OVER 400 STUDENTS TO DATE. OUR OUTREACH AND DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE SUPPORTS RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS, LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS & SHELTERS IN 24 COUNTIES, AND STAGES DISASTER RELIEF FOR FIVE STATES. PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE O FOR A SPECIFIC LIST OF ALL PROGRAMS. GBHS' ADOPTION, TRANSPORT, FOSTER, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGAMS PLACE THOUSANDS OF PETS IN LOVING HOMES WHILE PROMOTING HUMANE VALUES ACCROSS THE REGION. THE GREATER BIRMINGHAM HUMANE SOCIETY (GBHS) PROVIDES SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT NOT ONLY PROTECT AND CARE FOR VULNERABLE ANIMALS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, BUT ALSO STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY WELFARE ACROSS 67 COUNTIES, SIX STATES, AND INTERNATIONALLY. THESE PROGRAMS RANGE IN DIVERSITY FROM EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE, COMMUNITY SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES, DISASTER RESPONSE, AND TRAUMA RESCUE OPERATIONS TO LEGAL SUPPORT IN CRIMINAL ANIMAL CRUELTY CASES, WHERE GBHS PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE. GBHS' COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION-THROUGH VETERINARY EXTERNSHIPS WITH AUBURN AND TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITIES, YOUTH VOLUNTEER CLUBS, AND HUMANE EDUCATION INITIATIVES-HELPS TO INCREASE EMPATHY, COMPASSION, AND RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND STATE. GBHS ALSO DIRECTLY SUPPORTS UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGH ITS PET PANTRY, COMMUNITY VACCINE CLINICS, AND PROJECT PET SAFE, OFFERING VITAL RESOURCES TO PET OWNERS IN CRISIS. BY INVESTING IN REHABILITATION, FOSTER CARE, AND NATIONWIDE RESCUE TRANSPORTS, GBHS ENSURES THAT THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS RECEIVE THE CARE THEY NEED AND PERMANENT HOMES. GBHS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES: *7-DAY LEGAL STRAY HOLD IMPOUNDMENT - ALL STRAY DOGS AND CATS IMPOUNDED IN A GBHS BUILDING RECEIVE A FULL SET OF VACCINATIONS, PARASITE TREATMENT, FLEA/HEARTWORM PREVENTION, MICROCHIPPING, AND IF NECESSARY, EMERGENCY VETERINARY SERVICES UPON INTAKE. *24/7 ANIMAL TRAUMA RESCUE UNIT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (LEO) SUPPORT - PROVIDES 24/7 RESPONSE AND RESCUE FOR SEVERELY INJURED ANIMALS AND ASSISTS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THROUGHOUT ALABAMA UPON REQUEST. *AGGRESSIVE ANIMAL RESPONSE - OFFERS 24/7 COMMUNITY SAFETY RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF AGGRESSIVE ANIMALS. *AUBURN UNIVERSITY & TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM - GBHS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, RUSSELL JOHNSON, DVM, SERVES ON THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY VETERINARY SCHOOL FACULTY AND TEACHES SOFT TISSUE SURGICAL SKILLS TO 4TH-YEAR VETERINARY STUDENTS THROUGH A TWO-WEEK GBHS CRITICAL CARE AND SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC EXTERNSHIP. *BEHAVIOR/HEALTH ASSESSMENTS - ALL ANIMALS RECEIVE A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT AND MEDICAL EXAM UPON INTAKE TO ENSURE INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT AND PLACEMENT PLANS. *COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR MISDEMEANORS & PROBATION - OFFERS COURTORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALLOW FOR DEFERMENT OR DISMISSAL OF NON-VIOLENT MISDEMEANOR CHARGES WHEN REQUIRED HOURS ARE COMPLETED AT ANY GBHS SHELTER LOCATION. *COMMUNITY VACCINE CLINICS - VETERINARIANS ADMINISTER VACCINES AND MICROCHIPS AT NO COST TO COMMUNITY PET OWNERS AND SCHEDULE FREE SPAY/NEUTER APPOINTMENTS. *CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAMS - PROVIDES GROUP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS. *CRIMINAL CASE SUPPORT - OFFERS THE USE OF THE GBHS EMERGENCY VETERINARY MANAGEMENT TRAILER AND VETERINARY TEAM FOR EXPERT TESTIMONY, EVIDENCE COLLECTION, NECROPSIES, ANIMAL HANDLING, AND ON-SITE SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ALL 67 ALABAMA COUNTIES, FREE OF CHARGE, WHEN RESPONDING TO LARGE CASES OF ANIMAL ABUSE, HOARDING, AND PUPPY MILLS. *CRITTER CAMP & HOLIDAY CAMPS - HOSTS FULL-DAY CAMPS WHERE ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILDREN ENGAGE WITH ANIMALS, LEARN ABOUT ANIMAL WELFARE IN A FUN SETTING, AND CONNECT WITH THE GBHS MISSION. CAMPS ARE OFFERED DURING THE SUMMER AND ON SELECT HOLIDAYS. *DISASTER RESPONSE - PARTNERS WITH DONORS, SHELTERS, RESCUES, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE AID-INCLUDING VETERINARY CARE, PET SUPPLIES, AND FOOD-DURING NATURAL OR MANMADE DISASTERS. *EMERGENCY TRAUMA RESPONSE AND CARE - PROVIDES AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE TO MORE THAN 2,500 ANIMALS EACH YEAR WHO ARE IN DISTRESS DUE TO SEVERE ILLNESS OR INJURY. THIS PROGRAM SERVES LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS AS WELL AS ANIMALS DISCOVERED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GOOD SAMARITANS. *FOSTER/COMMUNITY CARE - OFFERS TEMPORARY FOSTER PLACEMENT, SUPPLIES, AND VET CARE FOR FOSTER VOLUNTEERS AND ANIMALS WHO BENEFIT FROM A HOME ENVIRONMENT PRIOR TO ADOPTION. *GOOD SAMARITAN CARE - ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WHO RESCUE LOST OR INJURED ANIMALS BY COVERING MEDICAL TREATMENT AND CARE. *GREATER GOODS OFFICIAL PARTNER: AMBASSADOR PROGRAM - A 26K SQUARE FOOT WAREHOUSE ACTS AS A DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND SUPPLIES PET FOOD, VETERINARY SUPPLIES, AND PET SUPPLIES TO SHELTERS, IMPOUNDMENT FACILITIES, AND RESCUES IN 24 COUNTIES. *MATCHING & ADOPTIONS - MATCHES THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS WITH ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, FOCUSING ON CREATING THE BEST FIT FOR BOTH PETS AND ADOPTERS. *OWNER REUNICATION - GBHS PROVIDES ALL ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS WITH IPADS, HOTSPOTS, AND FULL CELLULAR INTERNET COVERAGE TO QUICKLY ADVERTISE LOST PETS USING FACIAL RECOGNITION SOFTWARE DESIGNED BY PETCO LOVE LOST. THIS FACILITATES FAST REUNICATION OF PETS WITH THEIR OWNERS. WE ALSO OFFER MICROCHIPPING AND RABIES VACCINATIONS AT THE TIME OF RECLAIM. *OWNER TRAINING, ASSISTANCE & ADVICE - PROVIDES SUPPORT AND REFERRALS TO PET OWNERS WHO NEED HELP ADJUSTING OR RESOLVING BEHAVIOR OR CARE CONCERNS WITH THEIR PETS. *PET PANTRY - ANNUALLY DISTRIBUTES PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO OVER 5,000

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1943.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.