By Ally Morrison
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society will be hosting the 11th Annual Jazz Cat Ball on April 30 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel ballroom.
Scott Register, radio personality and former GBHS board member, is this year’s honoree. Register, better known as “Reg,” said he was thrilled and humbled to be selected as this year’s honoree.
“If I can help them raise money and continue to give a voice to the voiceless, that’s a thrill and an honor to me,” Register said.
Before working as the host of The Morning Blend with Reg & Will along with Reg’s Coffee House for Birmingham Mountain Radio, Register worked in marketing and advertising in Birmingham.
He was recommended for a seat on the board of The Greater Birmingham Humane Society, where he would go on to serve for about 12 years. Register fell in love with the GBHS and holds its mission dear to his heart.
“It was a natural fit for me. I’m a big animal lover and their mission is an important one that makes the community a better place to live in,” Register said.
Register has attended multiple Jazz Cat events and was even crowned King of the Jazz Cat Ball a few years ago.
“The Jazz Cat Ball is a huge fundraising event for the humane society, it takes a lot of money to do what they do on a daily basis.” Register said. “It’s not just about the pets, but it’s about the people, too. The Jazz Cat Ball is a great opportunity for everyone to get together and celebrate their mission. I always leave with a smile on my face.”
Register is celebrating 25 years of Reg’s Coffee House this month. When not working for the radio, He also works for Think Indie Distribution, a distribution company that sells vinyls, CDs and merchandise to record stores around the world.
“Somehow, my hobby became my job 25 years ago and continues to be today, where I am lucky enough to do it in Birmingham,” Register said.
Register was born and raised in the Birmingham area, having grown up in Vestavia Hills, where he still lives his wife, Dr. Shae Hicks Register, a veterinarian, and four children.
The humane society was founded by Dr. John Herbert Phillips in 1883, during the same time he founded the Birmingham school system and public library system. Its mission is to promote the humane treatment of humans and animals.
The Jazz Cat Ball is one of the largest animal welfare fundraisers in the country, with a casino, live music and giveaways. This year’s live music will be performed by The Big Beyond. It originally was planned for Feb. 5, but that was changed to April 30 because of the recent rise in COVID cases.
Proceeds from the event go to fund GBHS operations, which in addition to the shelter sponsors school-based education classes, conducts cruelty investigations, has one of the largest disaster response units in the Southeast and sponsors an externship program, which provides surgical education and training for fourth-year veterinary students from Auburn University’s and Tuskegee University’s colleges of veterinary medicine, GBHS Executive Director Allison Black Cornelius said in a statement.
“We usually raise over $600,000, but this year’s hope is $1 million,” she said.
“Proceeds from the Jazz Cat Ball go toward our annual budget, as we do a lot of school-based education classes, cruelty investigations, and we are one of the largest disaster response units in the Southeast.” GBHS Executive Director Allison Black Cornelius said. “We usually raise over $600,000, but this year’s hope is $1 million.”
The event will also provide funding for the GBHS externship program, which provides surgical education and training for fourth-year veterinarian students from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society plans to build a new campus on Lakeshore Parkway in 2022.
