Animal control
officers can help children learn about pet care.
Animal control officers protect animals and the public by investigating reports of animal mistreatment, controlling dangerous creatures, collecting strays and investigating reports of animal mistreatment. They require animal handling skills as well as good communication to deal with people who are looking for lost pets or recovering from animal bites.
Work
Animal control officers must take satisfaction in working with animals because the work can be unpleasant, physically and emotionally challenging, and hazardous at times. They have an injury rate that is higher than the national average, since angry animals can bite or scratch. They must be able to lift, hold and restrain animals, and go for long periods while bending, crawling, kneeling or standing. They typically work outdoors in all kinds of weather. As of May 2009, their median salary was $31,550 per year, with a range of $19,540 to $51,170. This is equivalent to $15.17 hourly, with a range of $9.39 to $24.60. This information is the most current from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employers
The biggest employer of animal control officers was local government, with 13,640 of the available 15,320 jobs. They were also the highest payers at a mean $16.25 per hour or $33,800 per year. The second largest employers were social advocacy organizations, with 1,290 positions. They were also among the top four employers for pay, with a mean $14.90 per hour or $30,990 per year.
Geography
The state with the highest pay for animal control officers was Nevada, $23.51 per hour or $48,910 per year for 120 positions. Second-ranked California, the nation's most populous state, had lower means of $22.18 per hour or $46,130 per year, but more employment with 2,170 jobs. As for cities, Las Vegas, Nevada, had the best wages at $25.17 per hour or $52,360 per year for 70 jobs. Still among the top five for compensation, Santa Ana, California, offered mean pay of $23.26 per hour or $48,370 per year, but better opportunities with 130 jobs.
Training
To obtain the salaries of animal control officers requires a minimum high school diploma. However, states and local jurisdictions mandate the specific training and certification required to become an animal control officer. Degrees are offered in animal care and management, animal behavior or veterinary technology, at vocational institutes and some community colleges. The National Animal Control Association reveals that some of the training involves animal behavior, identification, first aid, capture techniques, public relations, laws, chemical immobilization and euthanasia.
Tags: control officers, hour year, animal control, mean hour, mean hour year, animal behavior, Animal control