Veterinary Assistant
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Public Safety & Security career
Animal Control Officer
Also called: Animal Services Officer · Humane Officer · Animal Welfare Officer · Animal Cruelty Investigator
What animal control officers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an animal control officer do?
Animal control workers enforce animal laws, capture stray and dangerous animals, investigate bites and cruelty complaints, and rescue animals in distress. The median pay is $45,660 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 months, and employment is projected to grow +4.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$45,660$21.95/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–3 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs13,800Employment, 2025
What animal control officers do
Animal control officers respond to calls about stray, injured, aggressive and neglected animals. They capture and transport animals to shelters, investigate bites and cruelty cases, enforce licensing and leash laws, educate pet owners and help during disasters. Some issue citations and testify in court.
Most officers have a high school diploma and complete training such as the National Animal Care and Control Association certification. The work requires comfort with animals, strong judgment and calm communication with sometimes upset people.
Typical duties
- Respond to calls about stray and dangerous animals
- Capture and transport animals safely
- Investigate animal bites and quarantine animals
- Investigate cruelty and neglect complaints
- Enforce local animal laws and issue citations
- Rescue injured or trapped animals
- Educate the public about responsible pet ownership
Work environment and schedule
Officers work outdoors and in vehicles, responding to homes, roads and public places. The job involves risk of bites, scratches and exposure to disease.
Schedule: Most work full-time, with evenings, weekends and on-call emergency response.
A day in the life
- Review the call queue and load the truck.
- Capture a loose dog using a catch pole.
- Investigate a dog bite and arrange quarantine.
- Check on a neglect complaint and document conditions.
See a full day in the life of an animal control officer →
Animal Control Officer salary
Half of animal control officers earned more than $45,660 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,090 for the lowest 10% to $68,070 for the top 10%.
Full animal control officer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an animal control officer
- Get animal experience
- Apply to local agencies
- Complete training
- Earn certifications
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical. Officers complete on-the-job training and courses such as NACA certification. Some states require euthanasia or chemical capture certification.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an animal control officer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Animal handling and capture
- Bite investigation
- Cruelty investigation
- Report writing
- Animal law knowledge
People skills
- Compassion
- Calm under pressure
- Communication
- Judgment
All animal control officer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Help animals and communities
- Variety every day
- No degree required
- Government benefits
Cons
- Risk of bites and injuries
- Emotionally hard cases
- Upset pet owners
- On-call duties
Certifications and licenses
- NACA Animal Control Officer certification: National Animal Care and Control Association training.
- Euthanasia certification: Required in some states.
- Chemical capture certification: Training to use tranquilizers safely.
- Rabies pre-exposure vaccination: Recommended for officers.
Career path
- Animal Control Officer: Respond to calls.
- Senior Officer or Investigator: Handle cruelty cases.
- Supervisor: Lead officers.
- Shelter or Animal Services Manager: Run animal services.
Learn the job before day one
Our Animal Control Officer training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as capture a loose dog safely and investigate a dog bite, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Animal Control Officer vs. Vet Assistant · Animal Control Officer vs. Animal Caretaker · Animal Control Officer vs. Police Officer · Animal Control Officer vs. Fish and Game Warden
Animal Control Officer FAQ
Do animal control officers need a degree?
Usually not.
Is the job dangerous?
There are risks of bites and disease, managed with training and equipment.
Who hires animal control officers?
Cities, counties and humane societies.
How much does an animal control officer make?
The median annual wage for animal control officers was $45,660 ($21.95 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $68,070.
How long does it take to become an animal control officer?
Most people need about 1–3 months of training. A high school diploma is typical. Officers complete on-the-job training and courses such as NACA certification. Some states require euthanasia or chemical capture certification.
Do you need a degree to be an animal control officer?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More animal control officer questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-9011 (Animal control workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Animal control workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.