Animal control officers
are expected to feed and care for animals.
Animal control officers are generally employed by city and county agencies to protect, capture and care for animals. The job is relatively low-paying and occasionally hazardous, but it can be emotionally rewarding for people who love animals. Educational requirements are minimal, but training is required since the position involves law enforcement duties.
Duties
Animal control officers are responsible for capturing stray animals by using nooses on an extended pole, nets or a tranquilizer gun. They rescue abused animals and must euthanize critically injured, unclaimed or diseased ones. Officers conduct investigations of animal abuse claims and animal attack incidents by gathering evidence, and interviewing animal owners and witnesses. They can issue misdemeanor citations or ask the county District Attorney’s office to file felony charges in serious cruelty and neglect cases. Officers cage animals at municipal animal shelters. They supply creatures with food and see that the animals’ living quarters are clean. Employees are required to drive a truck equipped with cages, according to CareerPlanner.com and Eduers.com.
Education
Animal Control officers generally are not required to possess a college degree. A high school diploma is required. Local agencies require that officers have a valid driver’s license and successfully complete a law enforcement training course in firearms and arrest training, says the United States Department of Labor.
Skill Set
Employees must understand and apply local and state laws pertaining to violations of animal safety. Writing reports is a vital part of the job, so competent reading and writing skills are required. Exercising good judgment is also required when dealing with agitated animals and emotional pet owners. Officers must have a high tolerance for handling sick, injured, dangerous and dead animals. Capturing exotic animals, such as snakes, also is required.
Work Environment
The work demands that officers have affection for animals. This serves as a foundation to competently deal with emotionally demanding and dangerous work. Officers can expect to work in a dirty environment where abused and sick animals are kept. Loose animals under houses, in storm drains and cramped spaces must be removed with patience and skill. Officers can expect to be bitten by animals. Cleaning cages of animal waste requires daily attention. Euthanizing unclaimed but healthy dogs and cats can be emotionally draining. Much of the workweek requires being outdoors, including being exposed to bad weather. Although officers work a 40-hour workweek, night and weekend shifts are required, according to Eduers.com.
Salary
Hourly wages for Animal Control officers are fairly low, starting at about $15 per hour for entry-level employees to about $18.50. Experienced officers can earn up to $22.50 per hour, according to a 2010 job posting on Eduers.com.
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