Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Animal Control Officer
What animal control officers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review the call queue and load the truck. From there, the day usually includes respond to calls about stray and dangerous animals, capture and transport animals safely, and investigate animal bites and quarantine animals. Most work full-time, with evenings, weekends and on-call emergency response.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an animal control officer working full time.
- 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.
- Rescue a trapped cat from a storm drain.
- Issue a citation for unlicensed dogs.
- Return animals to the shelter and write reports.
Where animal control officers work
Officers work outdoors and in vehicles, responding to homes, roads and public places. The job involves risk of bites, scratches and exposure to disease.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time, with evenings, weekends and on-call emergency response.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- 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
Tools you’ll use every day
- Catch poles and nets
- Live traps
- Animal control vehicles
- Cameras for documentation
- Bite-resistant gloves
- Microchip scanners
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Help animals and communities
- Variety every day
- No degree required
- Government benefits
What’s hard
- Risk of bites and injuries
- Emotionally hard cases
- Upset pet owners
- On-call duties
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love animals
- I can stay calm with aggressive animals
- I can handle sad situations
- I like working outdoors
- I can talk with upset people
- I want a public service job
Not sure? Take the free Animal Control Officer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use proper equipment and bite-resistant gloves
- Stay current on rabies prevention
- Read animal body language before approaching
- Use caution entering private property and follow procedures