Quick Stats
Data from U.S. Department of Labor
How to become an Animal Control Worker
What do Animal Control Workers do?
Animal control is an arm of the local police department. And as an Animal Control Worker, you respond to emergency calls that relate to animals. The calls you answer might be about an animal being abused, neglected, or used for fighting. You can also get calls about dangerous dogs roaming neighborhoods, or animals that people suspect have rabies or other diseases that are hazardous to people.
When you get one of these calls, you need to be alert and use your best judgment. Sick animals can be unpredictable, which makes them dangerous. You might also run into angry people (who can also be unpredictable). And even though you can’t arrest anyone, you can write violations and testify in court about the abuse you’ve witnessed.
So now you know: those cartoons you watched as a kid showing Animal Control Workers as evil people grabbing dogs with their big nets…they were all wrong. Animal Control Workers are certainly not evil, and they do more than just pick up stray animals off the streets. You keep people and animals safe, making sure that any dangerous animals are stopped from harming people, and saving animals that need care.
The animals you deal with can vary. You can get calls about cats, dogs, rabbits, marine animals—actually, pretty much any animal you can think of. For example, you might get a call about an escaped python or an exotic bird that’s stuck in a tree. No two days are ever the same.
Should I be an Animal Control Worker?
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Team Player: You’re able to listen, communicate, and work with tons of different people.
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Reliable: You can always be counted on to do a good job.
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Calm Under Pressure: You keep your cool when dealing with highly stressful situations.
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