Animal Services in Walker County

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Impoundment Facilities or Shelters in Walker County

Erica Shubert manages GBHS Walker County (WCAS). The facility serves the unincorporated area of Walker County only.

Intake is 150-250 animals per month, Shubert stated in June 2026. These animals are primarily stray dogs brought in by residents, Emma told us, which are accepted on an open intake basis with no fee. Stray cats and kittens are accepted on a managed basis at Walker County, but may be accepted at Jasper without delay even if the animal was found outside of the City of Jasper.

GBHS advises residents “not to attempt capturing stray dogs themselves, to call local or county animal control immediately.” However, animal control assistance appears to be unavailable in the unincorporated area of Walker County. Emma said residents bring stray dogs to WCAS “all day long.”

• Stray Hold is 7 days.
• Spay/Neuter is not performed prior to adoption; instead, the responsibility is on the adopter to have the pet sterilized, “the Manager” said. A certificate for sterilization is included with adoption.
• Owner Surrenders are not accepted.
• Animal Census Reports are required by state law; however, GBHS has not provided records since 2024, in noncompliance with Alabama’s Animal Census Reporting Act and Open Records Act.

Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) operates Walker County Animal Services under a 36-month Agreement with Walker County Commission which was approved in October 2023 and began Dec. 1, 2023. The Daily Mountain Eagle and CBS42 reported on the Mar. 26, 2024 reopening of Walker County Animal Services under GBHS, after a six-month closure stated as necessary .

Budget: Ed Howell reported that GBHS was the only bidder and that the bid was for compensation to GBHS of $205,440 per year, based on an 1,200 annual intake. The Commission budgeted $163,000 for WCAS in FY2024 and $100,000 in FY2021-2022, Howell wrote.

Since Animal Census Reports from just prior to GBHS's contract show over 3,000 outcomes, and since Shubert stated that Walker County is now taking in 150–250 animals per month, it is unclear why the bid based compensation on a 1,200 annual intake. At the time, County Attorney Eddie Jackson told the Daily Mountain Eagle that the contract "allow an up charge in the event of additional dogs." The difference between the bid's intake and the actual intake suggests that actual billings may be much higher than the reported $205,440 per year.

Impetus: As happened two years later in Pell City, Walker County began outsourcing operations due to reports of poor conditions, according to CBS42:

The Walker County Commission, which runs the shelter, accepted a bid from GBHS on Monday to take over its leadership after several complaints from community members. “The only reason they’ve acted is because the public, specifically on Facebook, has made several posts over the last couple of months about how horrendous this place is and how poorly they treat the animals,” Brandon Stearns, a concerned resident said. Stearns said his eyes were opened to just how severe the situation was after trying to surrender puppies that had been abandoned near his home a few months ago.

Stearns added that Walker County officials “knew about this for a long time and essentially did nothing.”

The Daily Mountain Eagle quoted GBHS CEO Allison Black Cornelius' Sept. 29, 2023 Facebook post:

A couple of days ago our staff and I saw dogs and cats dying. Actively dying at a government facility. I am a smart lady. But I’m not sure how to get people to help. I’m not a 'Kardashian.' I’m not wealthy. I saw suffering and it is wrong. Please. Please help. Help me change things. Please.

History: Before contracting with GBHS, the Commission operated the facility directly, under the name Walker County Humane and Adoption Center.

The City of Jasper contracts with Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) for the operation of GBHS Jasper Animal Care & Control. Lindsey Cross directs GBHS Jasper Animal Care & Control.

• Stray Hold is 7 days.
• Owner Surrenders are accepted, according to Emma, regardless of where the owner lives (the owner is not required to be a resident of Jasper or even Alabama, Emma said).
• Animal Census Reports are required by state law; however, GBHS has not provided records since 2024, in noncompliance with Alabama’s Animal Census Reporting Act and Open Records Act.

Transition to GBHS: GBHS took over operations in 2018, according to the city website, or in January 2019, according to the Daily Mountain Eagle, three-to-four years after the organization became the animal services contractor for Jefferson County as its first sheltering contract. GBHS was the sole bidder for the Jasper contract, per the Eagle in August 2018.

The arrangement promised benefits for Jasper animals, Chambless said, including vet care at the GBHS Spay/Neuter & Critical Care Clinic (also called Animal Shelter Veterinarians) in Hoover. “Our animals would be carried daily to their facilities for medical treatment," Chambless told the Eagle; “As animals come in, they’re going to be checked out.” And GBHS’ visibility would increase adoptions of Jasper animals, Chambless said.

New Facility: As a condition for agreement, GBHS was stipulating that Jasper move impoundment operations from 2302 Birmingham Avenue to a facility with room to house more animals, per O’Mary in the Eagle. O’Mary and Chambless set their sights on a property two miles away across from the Yorozu plant which was already owned by a city-funded agency. “If we had to go out and acquire a building and land,” O’Mary explained, “the capital outlay along with what we’ve got to do now might have put this out of our reach.”

However, the 2302 Birmingham Avenue facility was still in use eight years later. In July 2026 GBHS suspended operations in Jasper while the HVAC system was replaced and other “essential repairs and facility improvements” were completed, per GBHS (1, 2). Jasper animals were relocated to Walker County.

As of February 2026, the City of Jasper was in the process of purchasing a property at Birmingham Avenue and 23rd Street East, across the street from the current facility, from Contamination Control Services, LLC, for $250,000, Nicole Smith reported in the Daily Mountain Eagle.

Budget: In 2018, then-Mayor David O’Mary said the contract with GBHS would cost the city over $200,000 a year, which City Clerk Kathy Chambless said would not be much more than the city’s budget for direct operation of the shelter, the Eagle reported.

• 2025: GBHS compensation from the City of Jasper totaled $227,167 total, which is an average of $18,931 per month.
• 2026: Compensation for the first six months of 2026 totaled $131,932, an average of $21,989 per month, Payments varied from $16,568 in January to $27,882 in June.

Payment records were provided by Chambless in fulfillment of our public records request. Though we would like to also review and share the Jasper–GBHS contract and itemized billing, we declined the city’s $100 estimated fee (50¢ per page for digital files or photocopies). If you would like to assist with this research, please email us.

History: Prior to the GBHS contract, the City of Jasper Animal Shelter was managed by Jesika Pilgrim. Facebook comments praised Pilgrim and other staff members, expressing hope that the current staff would be retained in the transition.

Animal Control — Picking Up Stray Dogs

Walker County Commission is required by Alabama Code § 3-7A-7 to protect public safety by picking up stray dogs. County officials instruct residents to report — but what happens when a report is called in?

On Sept. 3, 2025, I emailed Walker County Commissioner Jeff Burrough and Kristin Pierson of GBHS Animal Care & Control regarding the contract between the two entities, which Commissioner Burrough had provided to me the previous day. Referring to the contract’s third paragraph’s statement that “the services to be performed include … the capture and detention of stray dogs and other animals in designated areas within Walker County,” I asked:

• First, what are the designated areas?
• Second, I was told by the manager of Walker County Animal Services that there is no county AC, no one to pick up dogs. A July 24, 2025 report by WTVM stated similarly: “a representative from Walker County Animal Services confirmed that they do not have a crew to pick up strays but mentioned that residents can bring pets to them.” Can you or Kristin provide any clarification on the apparent contradiction between this information and the contract?

GBHS' Kristin Pierson replied that she was forwarding the email to GBHS Jasper Manager Lindsey Cross. I received no reply from Lindsey Cross or from Commissioner Burrough.

Similarly, my calls to Walker County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about reporting procedure for loose dogs or for violations of the dog confinement law went unanswered on Sept. 18 and again on Sept. 19, 2025. The line rang and then disconnected with no option to leave a message.

With no one picking up animals and residents being told “not to attempt capturing stray dogs,” where are the reported 150–250 animals taken in per month coming from? And what would explain the 50–150 additional intakes per month since GBHS took over shelter operations, if stray dogs are not being picked up? Census data could shed light on this, but GBHS has not complied with Alabam’s Animal Census Reporting Act and Open Records Act requirement to provide animal intake and outcome data.

How to report an animal control concern in Walker County:

• In the City of Jasper, call the Jasper Police Department at 205-221-6790 for assistance from Jasper ACO Robin Jackson, who many community members praised for her dedication and compassion. Stray pickup, emergency response, and on-call officers are provided by the city, per GBHS. Animals are held at GBHS Jasper Animal Care & Control and posted at Lost & Found.
• In unincorporated Walker County, Carbon Hill, Corova, Dora, Eldridge, Kansas, Nauvoo, Oakman, Parrish, Sipsey, Sumiton, residents might heed GBHS’ instruction to “report stray animals to authorities.” However, as seen in the right column of the table, no authority appears to be taking responsibility for responding to those reports. Since the state mandate ultimately falls on the Walker County Commission (205-384-7230), we suggest speaking to your Commissioner, the Commission Chairman, and/or the County Administrator to report the stray animal, request help, and to ask why the state’s requirement is not being followed in Walker County. Please let us know what you are told.

If assistance is not offered or if the situation is not resolved, see this guidance.

Animal Cruelty Investigation in Walker County

Deputy Justin Greenspan of Walker County Sheriff’s Office serves as cruelty and welfare investigator. GBHS staff members may also be appointed as agents for the investigation of animal cruelty, under a Walker County resolution dated Sept. 15, 2025. If you have witnessed or have information about animal abuse or neglect, call Walker County Sheriff’s Office at 205-302-6464 or fill out their webform.

If the incident or situation is in municipal Jasper, you might first or also contact ACO Robin Jackson.

Dog Confinement Requirements in Walker County

Why Did Walker County Adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5? The statute was adopted due to “numerous reports of dogs running at large” which pose “a serious danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Walker County,” according to the Resolution. Just as in Lawrence County in 2024, where a mauling by owned dogs is what led to the statute’s adoption, Walker County Commission adopted following a July 2025 mauling in Jasper.

• Walker County Commission Minutes and Resolution to Adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5 (September 2025). Thanks to Ed Howell for posting the adoption resolution.
• News Coverage: Ed Howell for the Daily Mountain Eagle, Lisa Crane for WVTM.

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter in Walker County

• The RUFF Fix offers discounted sterilization to all when funding is available.
• Alabama Spay & Neuter in Irondale (Birmingham) offers low-cost spay and neuter, with pet transportation from Jasper approximately once a month.
• Animal Hospital of Walker County in Jasper participates in the ALVMF license plate program. The co-pay is $10 per cat or $20 per dog, plus an average of $40–100 due if the vet deems your pet to be in need of vaccines or parasite treatments.
• For additional resources and options, see Low-Cost Spay/Neuter in Alabama and Animal Services in Jefferson County.

Walker County Documents

• Animal Census Reports for Walker County and the City of Jasper are not being provided.
• Walker County Commission Minutes and Resolution to Adopt Alabama Code § 3-1-5, Sept. 2025
• Walker County Resolution to Appoint Humane Agents, Sept. 2025
• Walker County Animal Services Agreement with GBHS — This Agreement refers to a Bid and Bid Response which Walker County did not include in the fulfillment of our public records request. If you are in Walker County and would like to help obtain these documents, please contact us.
• Walker County Animal Cruelty Reporting Form
• City of Jasper Payments to GBHS

Public Records Request Forms:

• Walker County Commission Public Records Request Form & Procedure — if your request is denied on the basis of the in-person requirement, see this information.
• City of Jasper Public Records Requests

Sources

Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) is the contracted operator of Walker County Animal Services and Jasper Animal Care & Control Shelter. Multiple attempts to obtain public information from GBHS have gone unanswered. A September 2025 request for clarification about “designated areas” and impoundment of loose dogs in Walker County was referred twice from one GBHS staff member to another, as detailed in Sources, and remains unanswered. A request for 2025 Animal Census reports for both impoundment facilities has also gone unfulfilled. Other contacts:

• Emma, GBHS Walker County Animal Services, shared information on a July 14, 2026 phone call regarding intake of stray and owned animals from the public at both Walker County and Jasper. Emma did not know about census records and referred me to Erica Shubert.
• “The Manager” was the only identification provided during our call to GBHS WCAS on Apr. 29, 2025: the man declined to provide his name. He stated that WCAS serves only the unincorporated area and that neither the shelter nor the Walker County Sheriff's Office pick up dogs or provide other animal control services. The stray hold and sterilization information was provided by him. He also stated that Animal Census data is prepared and “some is online,” however nothing was posted on the Walker County website or by GBHS when we looked for it on Apr. 29, 2025, or on subsequent check-ins in Sept. 2025 and Mar. 2026.
• Erica Shubert, now-manager of GBHS Walker County, stated via email on May 24, 2025, that something on this page was inaccurate. I replied to Erica the same day, stating, “Please let me know what is inaccurate and I’d be glad to correct it.” When I did not hear back from Erica, on May 28, I emailed Kristin Pierson, stating, "I received a message from Erica Shubert, who appears to be a current or former GBHS employee, that information about Walker County is inaccurate — however she has not provided the correction. The email exchange and links to the Walker County info are below. If you see something in error, please advise so I can make it right." Kristin Pierson replied that she ”sent the below email to the supervisor of Walker County to see if she would be able to assist with the Walker County information.” Neither Erica nor Lindsey provided any information.
• Kristin Pierson, GBHS dispatch manager, stated on a May 28, 2025 call that Lindsey Cross is “the supervisor of Walker County.” When asked on Sept. 3, 2025 for clarifications about “designated areas” and impoundment of loose dogs in Walker County, Kristin referred me to Lindsey Cross. (Also see Erica Shubert and Lindsey Cross notes.)
• Lindsey Cross, City of Jasper Animal Care and Control director/manager and former director of Walker County Animal Services, 205-221-6621, LCross@gbhs.org, stated on Sept. 18, 2025 that the requested clarifications (see Kristin Pierson notes) could be addressed only by Stephanie Salvago. Lindsey said she would ask Stephanie to call me. (See Stephanie Salvago notes.) A Mar. 4, 2026 request for both facilities’ Animal Census data remains unfulfilled, and follow-ups sent Mar. 4 and Apr. 24 (with Commissioner Jeff Burrough cc’d on the latter), were not answered.
• Stephanie Salvago, GBHS Director of Development & Marketing, director, 205-937-3042, SSalvago@gbhs.org. I did not hear from Stephanie in response to the referral from Lindsey Cross.
• Allison Black Cornelius, GBHS CEO, shared information via a Facebook reply to our question in June 2026.

Walker County has stood out in my experience as among the most opaque governments in Alabama.Walker County Administrator Amy Frederickson is the only official who handles Walker County public records requests and other inquiries, according to Barbara and Billie Jo at the Commission office. Amy told the Walker County Leader that she “is committed to transparency,” but I did not receive a response to a public records request submitted August 6, 2025 nor to follow-ups in August and September 2025. Walker County Commission defaulted on the acknowledgement and fulfillment deadlines of the Open Records Act. There was never an answer at Amy’s extension, her voicemail box was perpetually full, and emails received no reply. Day after day, Barbara and Billie Jo took a message for Amy or told me to call back.

A week after the deadline had passed, I emailed the two Commissioners (Jeff Burrough and John Dunagan) for whom the Walker County website provides contact information and also left a message for County Attorney Charles Stephens. Commissioner Jeff Burrough called me that day from Amy’s office. Jeff said that fulfillment of the public records request fell “on top of [Amy’s] normal duties,” which seems inconsistent with the Legislative Services Agency’s statement in Alabama’s Handbook for County Commissions (pages 29 and 122) that making public records available upon request is a legal duty of county commissions. The Commission uploaded the requested document to Walker County Forms & Docs; Commissioner Burrough advised download the PDF right away because it would be removed, and indeed the Commission removed the record in Oct. 2025.

• Commission: 205-384-7230 x5 or x501. I spoke to Barbara and Billie Jo.
• Administrator Amy Frederickson, 205-384-7230 x500, a.frederickson@walkercountyal.us, neither answered the phone nor responded to messages, as described above.
• Commissioner Jeff Burrough, 205-924-4131, j.burrough@walkercountyal.us, see above.
• Walker County Sheriff’s Office, 205-302-6464 (non-emergency). Calls to WCSO to inquire about reporting procedure for loose dogs or for violations of the dog confinement law went unanswered on Sept. 18 and again on Sept. 19, 2025. The line rang and then disconnected with no option to leave a message.

Other Sources:

• Kathy Chambless, Jasper City Administrator/CFO, kchambless@jaspercity.com, confirmed our July 14, 2026 public records request the next day and provided an estimate the same week. Kathy offered to make the requested documents (contractual and financial documents related to Jasper Animal Care & Control) available for in-person review without charge, and stated that the fee for digital records or copies was 50¢ a page. We declined the $100 estimate for the contract and itemized invoices. Kathy provided GBHS payment records without requiring a fee on July 30, 2026.
• Feb. 7, 2026: Ed Howell of the Daily Mountain Eagle reported about Sumiton's new dog ordinance and even included a PDF of the ordinance in his excellent reporting.

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