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
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementMonitoring
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrative
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareGeographic information systemSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals.Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.Organize the adoption of unclaimed animals.Examine animal licenses, and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.Train police officers in dog handling and training techniques for tracking, crowd control, and narcotics and bomb detection.
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
56 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Security Forces Journeyman, Combat Arms (Air Force 3P051B)Military Police (Army 31B)Animal Control SpecialistSecurity Forces (Air Force 3P0X1)Dog WardenAnimal Treatment InvestigatorUnit Supply Specialist (Army 92Y)Pest Management (Air Force 3E4X3)Supervisor, Animal Cruelty InvestigationAnimal CopCode Enforcement SpecialistInvestigator (Coast Guard IV)Animal Instructor OfficerControl OfficerHumane AgentAnimal Care Specialist (Army 68T)Pest Management Journeyman (Air Force 3E453)Intelligence Analyst (Army 35F)Animal Cruelty InvestigatorSecurity Forces Apprentice, Military Working Dog Handler (Air Force 3P031A)Security Forces Journeyman (Air Force 3P051)Dog CatcherSecurity Forces Craftsman, Combat Arms (Air Force 3P071B)Security Forces Helper, Combat Arms (Air Force 3P011B)Pest Management Craftsman (Air Force 3E473)Humane OfficerCommunity Service OfficerAnimal Ordinance Enforcement OfficerMilitary Working Dog Handler (Marine Corps 5812)Animal Park Code Enforcement OfficerAnimal Enforcement OfficerACO (Animal Control Officer)Security Forces Journeyman, Military Working Dog Handler (Air Force 3P051A)Instructor-Trainer, Canine ServiceWildlife RehabilitatorSecurity Forces Craftsman (Air Force 3P071)Animal Services OfficerSecurity Forces Helper, Military Working Dog Handler (Air Force 3P011A)Animal RescuerWildlife Removal Specialist