How to become An Animal Control Worker

• Animal Control Officers
• Animal Rescue Officers

What do Animal Control Workers do?

An Animal Control Worker would typically need to:

• Enforce animal control laws; ensure animals are not being mistreated; take proper care of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals
• Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty; interview witnesses and collect evidence
• Respond to complaints of dangerous or wild animals to keep the public safe
• Patrol areas for unattended or dangerous animals; investigate complaints of animal abuse and neglect; issue citations and warnings to people who mistreat animals
• Rescue, capture, examine, remove, and rehabilitate domestic and wild animals that have been abused, trapped, displaced, or abandoned, using appropriate equipment
• Deliver animals from neglectful environments to shelters and rehabilitation centres; take injured animals to the vet
• Contact families of lost domestic animals to inform them of their pet’s location in a shelter or animal holding facility
• Care and provide for the animals under their supervision; help euthanise rabid, unclaimed or severely ill animals
• Document and maintain files about animal impoundments and rescues
• Write incident reports of instances of animal maltreatment; provide testimony for cases that have been taken to court
• Interact appropriately with the public and educate them on proper animal care and animal welfare laws
• Help train police officers in dog handling and training techniques for tracking, crowd control, and narcotics & bomb detection
• Help clean stables, kennels and other animal-keeping facilities; help maintain a clean animal truck that can be used to transfer animals

The work environment of an Animal Control Worker may vary from one day to the next, depending on the situation and the kind of animal and people they are interacting with.

They often work outdoors in physically challenging positions and locations to rescue and transport animals, some of which may be heavy or hard to control.

Since Animal Control Workers respond to complaints, they often have to travel between places. Sometimes, they might have to deal with a dangerous animal or dangerous people in stressful situations after taking proper safety precautions.

Work environments can also be emotionally stressful, especially when dealing with cases of animal abuse.

Working hours can be irregular. You should expect to be on-call nights, weekends, and holidays for emergencies.

Animals Control Workers may be employed by the government, social advocacy groups, an independent agency, or a private organisation. Finding a new job might seem challenging. You can boost your job search by asking your network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Employers typically include:

• Law Enforcement
• Animal Control Agencies
• Shelters
• National or Local Rescue Organizations
• International Rescue Organizations

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Organisation for Animal Protection (OIPA), are crucial for pursuing professional development as an Animal Control Worker. It also allows them to network with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Membership in one or more organisations adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications. Check-in with local and national organisations to learn how you can get involved with them.

• The need to maintain necessary safety precautions, especially when rescuing animals from risky locations or interacting with dangerous animals
• High potential for injury, especially when dealing with an injured, aggressive or stressed animal
• Staying emotionally healthy and robust when dealing with cases of animal abuse or with animals that need to be euthanised
• Staying safe while dealing with unstable or dangerous pet owners or people

Internships and work experience lead to better job opportunities and help prospective Animal Control Workers become familiar with different types of animals and show their dedication to their career.

Interested high school or university students should vol­unteer at a local shelter, veterinary practice, humane society, animal training, rescue-related, or wildlife rehabilitation centre. Prior work experience as a police officer, veterinary technician, animal trainer, wildlife rehabilitator, shelter manager, or animal-related field would prove advantageous.

In some locations, Animal Control Workers need to complete a specified amount of hours of training to be employable. However, relevant previous work experience may substitute for the training.

Typically, Animal Control Workers do not require formal education beyond high school for entry-level positions. Training is usually received on the job. However, some career schools and police academies also offer relevant programs.

A bachelor's degree in animal science, veterinary science, or criminology would complement and increase your job skills by helping you better understand animal diet, physiology, behaviour and management.

Aspiring Animal Control Workers who want to go to college should take high school courses in biology, chemistry, and physics since the sciences will be an important part of the college curriculum.

Most employers offer on-the-job training to new hires, but some may still require entry-level Animal Control Workers to enrol in accredited external training programs. Courses for beginners may focus on public relations, first aid for animals, and evidence collection, while advanced classes may focus on capturing animals, cruelty investigations, and containment of animals.

Check with your local licensing and regulatory bodies for essential requirements. Where certifications are not required, voluntary certificates from national or international rescue organisations can help Animal Control Workers gain professional credibility. Online courses are also an option.

Due to the demanding and often dangerous nature of the work, some places encourage candidates to receive CPR and firearms training. Aspiring Animal Control Workers may also need to pass a physical exam.

Additional certificates from animal control organisations on animal diseases, shelter operations and management, animal welfare ethics, first aid, and animal identification may be required in some regions.

Employers often require background checks, mandatory drug screening, and a valid driver’s license.

With additional training, certificates, and experience, Animal Control Workers can become Senior Officers in their departments and take on more managerial and supervisory roles.

You may also choose to work in a veterinary clinic or a zoo, provided you meet the basic requirements. Some Animal Control Workers decide to move to related positions with human societies and rescue groups, while others transition into police work.

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Continuing professional development (CPD) allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated. It enables Animal Control Workers to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to new specialisations.

Once hired, Animal Control Workers shadow an experienced officer to receive training on the job. Typically, they work under expert supervision for several months before receiving more responsibilities.

National rescue organisations and agencies offer CPD courses on animal diseases, first aid, ethics, and shelter operations. Courses can also be available from community colleges, animal control organisations, and vocational schools.

You need to complete a required amount of training to become an Animal Control Worker in some places. Check exact requirements with the local authorities.

Animal Control Workers should be trained or aspire towards being competent in several areas, including animal care, animal nutrition, animal behaviour, humane capture tools and techniques, law enforcement, public relations, and cruelty investigations.

A bachelor’s degree in an animal-related field might help further with job mobility.

Age

In some countries, Animal Control Workers must be at least eighteen years of age, while in others, they can start work as early as sixteen.

Personality

Animal Control Workers should be dedicated to justice and the well-being of animals and the public alike. Physical stamina and fitness are essential qualities, and so are patience and the ability to assert oneself. Attention to detail will help in carrying out rescue operations and attending to complaints, and writing reports.

Euthanisation

Euthanisation is a reality of the world of animal rescue; if an Animal Control Worker comes across an animal that is rabid or too ill to recover, it has to be put down. An Animal Control Worker who is not keen on dealing with the emotional trauma of euthanisation should opt to work for a shelter with a no-kill policy. Animal Control Workers would have to get special training to be able to carry out euthanisations properly.

Tools

Animals Control Workers occasionally have to use special equipment including nets, tranquilliser darts, and nooses to capture animals humanely. You will be provided specialised training on the effective use of these tools.

Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters in the US every year. About 5-9 million are euthanised. These are national estimates, and numbers vary from state to state.

If you are passionate about animal rights and safety and believe that they deserve justice, being an Animal Control Worker would be a promising career. Despite the many challenges of the job, it is rewarding to know that you can help protect vulnerable animals.

Get involved with the local community you are serving; go to parks and public places where people usually take their pets and interact with the pets and the owners. Ask them if they have any concerns; or any issues that an Animal Control Worker needs to know about.