Animal Control Officers respond to reports of aggressive animals.
Animal Control Officers must balance the health and welfare of residents, animals and the environment and deal with many animal species, political issues, laws and public policies. The job of an Animal Control Officer requires a person to have a broad range of diverse skills, and there isn't a single degree that addresses all facets of the job. However, there are several degrees you could pursue if you would like to become an Animal Control Officer. You can choose one from among them since each one would help prepare you for a different aspect of the job.
The Job
Animal Control Officers are employed by city and state governments to respond to complaints, enforce animal control laws, remove dead animals and impound stray animals. Qualifications of an Animal Control Officer vary from state to state, and education requirements range from a high school diploma to one year of college coursework. Some states, like Texas, require training courses and certification. Many organizations, such as Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) and Humane Societies, have animal cruelty investigators on staff, such as the ASPCA in New York, which has Humane Law Enforcement Officers. Their responsibilities include investigating animal abuse allegations, helping with animal cruelty cases, confiscating animals and even making arrests. Not all SPCAs across the country have the same investigative units. Qualifications for being an investigative officer at a humane society vary but many of the officers are either former police officers, people who have other law enforcement experience, or people who have experience working at a humane society.
Animal Sciences
Just about any major in the animal sciences field could help you prepare for a career in animal control. Especially helpful majors in this broad field include animal behavior, forestry, wildlife conservation, zoology and equine studies. Coursework in these majors includes animal biology and animal behavior which will teach you provide first-response medical attention, handle animals and put down dangerous animals. Many animal sciences and related programs are offered as both associate's and bachelor's degrees and minors at many two-year, four-year and online schools.
Criminology or Criminal Justice
Getting a degree in criminology or criminal justice would provide a good background for you if you're hoping to become an Animal Control Officer or an Animal Cruelty Investigator. Coursework in these major programs -- which include classes on criminal law, law enforcement administration, legal policy issues and the psychology of criminal behavior -- focuses on preparing you for the law enforcement aspects of the job. Animal Control Officers often have to conduct criminal investigations, and criminology or criminal justice classes would help you hone your analytical skills and gain knowledge of the basic elements of criminal behavior (in the case of criminology) or criminal court cases (in the case of criminal justice). Both criminology and criminal justice are offered as both associate's and bachelor's degrees at many two-year, four-year and online schools.
Public Administration
Pursuing a major in public administration would familiarize you with the administrative aspects of an Animal Control Officer's job. This program would teach you be an effective communicator, analyze and implement policy, and collaborate with community members -- all skills that an Animal Control Officer needs to possess. Pursuing a public administration major also would help you gain knowledge and skills in the organizational and human resources aspects of the job, which include paperwork, personnel management and understanding government animal control policy. Public administration is a major that's often combined with political science or government at four-year universities. A public administration degree by itself is only available at two-year and online colleges.
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