Occupation · SOC 33-9011
Animal Control Workers
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
Median wage
$45,830
$32,880–$69,990
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
11,790
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
1 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionWritingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive LearningTime ManagementPersuasionComplex Problem SolvingNegotiationLearning StrategiesInstructingManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesOperations AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingProgrammingEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignScienceEquipment MaintenanceRepairingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementPsychologyTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaBiologyComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesMechanicalGeographyTherapy and CounselingMathematicsSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryTransportationProduction and ProcessingPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionChemistrySales and MarketingForeign LanguageEconomics and AccountingEngineering and TechnologyPhysicsBuilding and ConstructionDesignHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
ARK Software Ark Shelter SoftwareAnimal Shelter ManagerCISCO Software ACS Animal Control SystemEsri ArcGISGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMultiple Options Animal Shelter Management SystemRescueConnection Software ShelterConntectionRoseRush Services Shelter ProSAP softwareTRAX Animal Control and Dog Warden Officer SoftwareWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicDocumenting/Recording InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsAssisting and Caring for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesThinking CreativelyJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesAnalyzing Data or InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsSelling or Influencing OthersCoaching and Developing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Animal control intake forms — complete accurately under direct supervisor review at a municipal animal shelter.Stray animal capture equipment — identify and handle nets and nooses under close supervision during field ride-alongs.Shelter cages and enclosures — transfer captured animals from service vehicles into designated housing under staff guidance.Animal physical condition — recognize visible signs of injury or malnutrition and report findings to a supervising officer.Public inquiries — respond to basic questions about animal control operations using agency-provided scripts and guidelines.Impoundment records — enter animal intake data into database software following established data-entry protocols at the shelter.Animal control laws and regulations — recite and reference applicable local ordinances when answering routine public questions.Radio and telecommunications equipment — use standard dispatch channels to communicate field locations under supervisor direction.Animal owner contact procedures — follow scripted notification protocols to inform owners of impounded pets by phone or mail.Agency vehicle pre-trip checklist — perform basic inspection and report equipment readiness at the start of each assigned shift.
developing
Incident reports and activity logs — write clear, accurate daily reports of field activities and maintain impoundment files with minimal supervisory review.Stray and uncontrolled animals — capture safely using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer dart equipment across varied urban and suburban environments.Animal cruelty investigations — gather initial evidence, photograph conditions, and interview witnesses when responding to reported incidents in the field.Medical referrals — assess animal condition and coordinate with shelter veterinary staff to arrange necessary treatment for injured or malnourished animals.Community education interactions — explain animal welfare standards and local regulations to residents during routine field contacts and shelter visits.Geographic information system tools — use GIS software to locate reported animal complaints and plan efficient patrol routes across assigned service areas.Spreadsheet and office suite software — maintain and update impoundment tracking spreadsheets to support shelter operational reporting.Animal owner follow-up — conduct outreach calls and document owner responses in case management databases to support timely reunification or disposition.Time and caseload management — prioritize multiple simultaneous service calls based on urgency and available resources during a standard field shift.Bite and attack reports — document factual details of animal attack cases accurately and submit completed reports to supervisors within required timelines.
proficient
Complex cruelty and neglect investigations — conduct independent multi-step investigations, collect and preserve evidence, and produce detailed written reports suitable for legal proceedings.Non-routine animal captures — apply appropriate restraint methods including tranquilizer dart deployment to handle dangerous or exotic animals in high-risk field situations.Animal health assessments — evaluate physical and behavioral indicators of injury, disease, or abuse autonomously and make disposition decisions in the field without immediate supervision.Public education programs — develop and deliver presentations on animal welfare laws and responsible pet ownership to community groups and schools across the service jurisdiction.Case file management — oversee complete documentation lifecycle using document management and database software, ensuring records meet agency legal and audit requirements.Interagency coordination — collaborate with law enforcement, code enforcement, and veterinary professionals to resolve complex animal control cases requiring multi-department response.Owner conflict resolution — apply advanced social perceptiveness and oral communication skills to de-escalate confrontational owner interactions during enforcement contacts in the field.Patrol route optimization — analyze complaint data and GIS mapping information to independently adjust field coverage for maximum effectiveness across the assigned district.Shelter operations support — evaluate intake, housing, and disposition workflows and identify procedural gaps that affect animal welfare outcomes and regulatory compliance.Written policy interpretation — read and apply state statutes, municipal codes, and agency SOPs accurately to guide enforcement decisions in ambiguous or novel field situations.
advanced
Agency-wide reporting standards — establish and enforce documentation protocols and database quality standards that ensure accuracy and legal defensibility across all animal control operations.Organizational training curriculum — design and deliver structured on-the-job training programs that develop emerging and developing officers in capture techniques, investigation, and regulatory compliance.Strategic enforcement policy — lead revision of animal control ordinances and agency procedures in collaboration with municipal leadership to align with current best practices and legal requirements.Community relations strategy — direct department-level public education campaigns and media outreach using presentation and communications tools to improve community compliance and animal welfare outcomes.Multi-agency incident command — coordinate animal control resources within unified command structures during large-scale emergencies such as hoarding cases, natural disasters, or disease outbreaks.Performance metrics and evaluation — develop KPIs and use data analysis tools to assess officer performance, shelter outcomes, and operational efficiency for senior leadership reporting.Budget and resource planning — prepare and justify annual operating budgets covering personnel, vehicles, equipment, and medical supplies to support effective service delivery across the jurisdiction.Investigative case oversight — review and approve complex cruelty and attack investigation reports, ensuring evidentiary quality and coordinating with prosecutors to support successful legal outcomes.Technology adoption leadership — evaluate and implement new database, GIS, and field reporting technologies to modernize animal control operations and improve data-driven decision-making.Staff welfare and stress resilience — create organizational support systems and peer resilience practices that sustain officer performance and reduce burnout in a high-stress protective service environment.
Also known as
26 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ACO (Animal Control Officer)Adoption CounselorAnimal AttendantAnimal Control SpecialistAnimal CopAnimal Cruelty InvestigatorAnimal Enforcement OfficerAnimal Instructor OfficerAnimal OfficerAnimal Ordinance Enforcement OfficerAnimal Park Code Enforcement OfficerAnimal RescuerAnimal Safety OfficerAnimal Services OfficerAnimal Treatment InvestigatorCode Enforcement InspectorCode Enforcement OfficerCode Enforcement SpecialistCommunity Service OfficerControl OfficerDog CatcherDog WardenHumane AgentHumane OfficerWildlife RehabilitatorWildlife Removal Specialist