The Greater Birmingham Humane Society
dates back to 1883 when it was
founded by educator Dr. John Herbert
Phillips. Phillips believed in teaching children
the value of compassion and the humane treat-
ment of animals. 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. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is the
largest and oldest humane society in Alabama.
Through the years the GBHS has had a number of homes and
has faced economic hardships, but its staff and volunteers keep alive
Phillips’ mission “to promote respect for life through education and
prevention of cruelty to animals and people.”