Career Overview
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
Also Known As
- ACO (Animal Control Officer)
- Animal Enforcement Officer
- Animal Park Code Enforcement Officer
- Animal Services Officer
Alternate Job Titles
- ACO (Animal Control Officer)
- Adoption Counselor
- Animal Attendant
- Animal Control Specialist
- Animal Cop
- Animal Cruelty Investigator
- Animal Enforcement Officer
- Animal Instructor Officer
- Animal Officer
- Animal Ordinance Enforcement Officer
- Animal Park Code Enforcement Officer
- Animal Rescuer
- Animal Safety Officer
- Animal Services Officer
- Animal Treatment Investigator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Deliver educational presentations on wildlife topics, such as animal safety, at schools and community events.
- Pick up deceased animals from roadways and dispose of the animal carcasses.
- Testify at court hearings when citations are contested.
- Transport injured or ill wildlife to rescues.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Manual Dexterity
- Selective Attention
- Far Vision
- Static Strength
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Self-Control
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Animal cages
- Animal capture nets
- Animal catch poles
- Animal control shotguns
- Animal traps
- Bat excluders
- Blowguns
- Cable winches
- Cat crates
- Compact digital cameras
- Crimping pliers
- Dog muzzles
- Electro muscular disruption devices EMDD
- Leashes
- Microchip readers
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $32,880 |
| Median | $45,830 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $69,990 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 11,790
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Animal Caretakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $33,470
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,320
Fish and Game Wardens
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $68,180
Animal Trainers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,750
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $76,290
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.