Greater Birmingham Humane Society to assume operations at Pell City Animal Control Center on April 1

In December 2024, the City of Pell City and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) finalized a partnership agreement to improve animal welfare in St. Clair County. On Monday, February 24, 2025, the City Council adopted the agreement and is preparing to transition operations at Pell City Animal Control Center (PCACC) to GBHS on April 1, 2025.

“The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is proud to extend our services to the Pell City Animal Control Center,” CEO Allison Black Cornelius said. “This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to improving animal welfare across Alabama. We look forward to working in partnership with Pell City and St. Clair County to provide compassionate care, essential resources, and sustainable solutions for companion animals and pet owners.”

GBHS is the largest and most impactful humane society in the state and is the premier provider of animal services in Central Alabama. Annually, GBHS provides services for more than 22,000 dogs and cats in Jefferson and Walker Counties and the City of Jasper.

For several years, the City of Pell City has sought GBHS’ influence in its animal impoundment operation.

“When the City initially reassumed operation of Pell City Animal Control Center about 10 years ago, we attempted to partner with Greater Birmingham Humane Society,” City Manager Brian Muenger told the St. Clair Commission last week. “At the time, their organization did not have the capacity.

“We’ve stayed in contact, and they’ve acted as trusted advisors. A few years ago, the City reapproached GBHS. Since then, it’s just been a matter of timing.”

With this transition, GBHS also offers to more effectively connect residents to programs designed to promote the humane treatment of animals and people through education, advocacy, and services.

  • Pet owner support programs: The GBHS Outreach Team provides support programs for pet owners facing barriers to keeping their pets.
  • Supported Self-Rehoming: The goal of Supported Self-Rehoming is to provide pet owners with resources, services, connections, and assistance to rehome their pet, without that pet having to enter the shelter.
  • Compassionate surrender programs: These offer a safe and humane option for responsible pet owners facing difficult circumstances, ensuring animals find loving new homes while minimizing stress and trauma.
  • Access to GBHS Spay/Neuter & Critical Care Clinic: The donor-purchased, state-of-the-art facility is fully staffed and provides medical services to all of GBHS’ animals.

“This ensures adherence to all applicable code requirements, while simultaneously generating new opportunities for staff and expanding our capacity to provide optimal animal care,” Muenger said.

Since 2016, PCACC has been maintained by the City of Pell City and managed by the Pell City Police Department. Transitioning operational management to a nonprofit organization with a focus on compassionate animal care offers numerous benefits:

  • GBHS specializes in shelter management and veterinary care, which will lead to improved animal health in the community.
  • PCACC joins a broad, regional network of fosters, volunteers, and fundraisers.
  • GBHS prioritizes lifesaving programs and innovative approaches to reduce euthanasia rates.
  • GBHS will facilitate increased community involvement through volunteer programs, adoption events, and educational outreach.

Throughout its near-decade of operation under the City of Pell City, the Pell City Animal Control Center has served as the only animal shelter in St. Clair County. In that time, it has made possible the adoption of 6,200 animals and facilitated the transfer of 5,300 more to animal welfare organizations.

Alongside the City, the 501c3 nonprofit organization Friends of PCACC is actively working at the Center to prepare it for the transition. The numerous projects they’ve undertaken in recent months included the installation of new outdoor spaces for potential pet adopters to socialize with animals and acquiring and installing new appliances.

“We’re excited about the opportunity, and GBHS is excited about coming out to St. Clair County,” Muenger said. “We’re eager to see the expertise they bring to the table in action.”

Statement from the City of Pell City: Misinformation is not helpful to our shared goal of saving animal lives

The City of Pell City is grateful to all who reached out to us in response to a recent social media post regarding the Pell City Animal Control Center. We received many offers to help, and we heard many ideas that could improve animal welfare in St. Clair County. For those, we’re very thankful.

PCACC is St. Clair County’s only animal shelter, serving around 275 animals a month. In 2024, intake reached a historic low, while adoptions reached the highest rate ever at PCACC.

Over the past 8 years, more than 5,000 animals have found forever homes thanks to animal rescue organizations that partner with the Center. These organizations will continue to be part of our strategy.

Recently, there have been some concerning allegations we would like to address. Widespread misinformation (represented below in bold) is not helpful to our shared goal of saving animal lives.

$50 “pull fees” are harmful to rescue organizations. This information is being misrepresented. Rescue fees are not charged in most circumstances.

Our new procedures are part of a greater improvement plan for PCACC that intends to increase efficiency through digitization, organization, and improved communication.

Rescue fees have been in place since 2017 to offset treatment provided at the shelter. A $50 pull fee is meant for the most adoptable animals, who have received full veterinary care. Many partners will pay a $25 fee, which is less than the schedule set in 2017. And in many cases, there will be no charge for organizations assisting us in finding homes for animals.

This information has been communicated to all current and prospective rescue partners. Rescue organizations can find registration and animal pull forms at pell-city.com/adopt.

PCACC does not provide adequate medical care or food for animals. All animals receive personalized treatment daily. They are also fed daily an amount appropriate for their weight.

Conditions at PCACC are inhumane. We are aware of the need for minor cosmetic maintenance, which has been reported. These areas do not impact the Shelter’s ability to provide humane treatment. All animals at PCACC are treated with the utmost care.

Pell City is seeking to make a profit from the Center. More than 90 percent of the Center’s annual funding comes from the City and other local government partners. Fees and donations account for less than 10 percent of the Center’s budget. The Center is projected to lose $42,000 in 2025, absorbed by the City of Pell City.

For those asking what you can do to help, first and foremost, spay and neuter your pets, and encourage others to do the same. Animal intake at the shelter declined last year, and we want to see that trend continue.

Second, volunteer or foster. PCACC is always open to help from caring citizens looking to assist in our efforts to provide the best possible animal care. You can find registration forms at pell-city.com/adopt.

Each of your messages and emails has been received and read, and we thank you again for reaching out. We appreciate this community’s dedication to animal welfare and our shared mission at PCACC to save lives.