Animal control
officers protect the health and safety of animals. There is a variety of jobs in the animal control field. These positions generally require working with the community as well as animals. For those dedicated to helping animals this can be a rewarding career.
What They Do
Animal control officers work to protect animals and members of the community. They work with strays, injured animals, abused or neglected animals and unwanted pets. Animal control officers can also play a critical role in prosecuting individuals who abuse or neglect animals. Direct care of animals is often one small component of the job. Sometimes animal control officers assist in the adoption of unwanted pets. Educating the public on animal population control and responsible pet ownership is a common task for people in this line of work.
Where They Work
Animal control officers often work for local city or state governments. Animal shelters, both nonprofit and government-funded, employ animal control officers. Depending on the state, animal control officers may also be directly involved with local law enforcement.
Necessary Skills
It is important that animal control officers communicate effectively with members of the community and animals. Dealing with the public is a large part of this job. The job can be physically demanding, so it is important to be in good health. In addition to the physical demands, animal control officer jobs are very emotionally taxing. Seeing abused or unwanted animals day after day can be stressful for anyone, but especially so if you are not emotionally stable. The most important attribute for animal control officers is dedication to helping animals. Those who feel the job has a meaningful purpose are better able to handle the other stresses of the job.
Education
High school diplomas are often sufficient for entry-level positions in animal control. On-the-job training is often used to advance in the field. The National Animal Control Association provides additional training and certifications for animal control officers wishing to progress in their careers. College graduates with a background in criminology or law enforcement are strong candidates, as understanding laws and regulations are important for this job. Animal or veterinary sciences are also considered good courses of study for this line of work.
Salary
Salaries in animal control professions vary based on the type of work and the geographic location. Nationwide, the median hourly wage is $13.42 and the median annual salary is $27,900. Larger communities tend to offer higher salaries and supervisors typically make the best wages. According to the National Animal Control Association, animal control officers in small communities can make $12,000 to $24,000 annually. Medium-size communities offer salaries averaging from $30,000 to $45,000. Metropolitan areas are the highest-paying areas. Animal control officers in these areas can potentially earn $50,000 to $85,000. Years of experience also plays a role in annual earnings. An animal control officer with five years' experience can make up to 70 percent more than a newcomer to the industry.
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