Public Safety & Security training

Animal Control Officer Training

Learn what animal control officers do and how they do it: a semi-in-depth, practical course covering the role, vocabulary, common procedures, safety and career launch.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Enroll nowView syllabus
What you’ll learn in Animal Control Officer training

A practical, general introduction to the animal control officer job: what the role involves, 15+ key terms, how to perform common tasks such as capture a loose dog safely and investigate a dog bite, safety essentials and how to launch your career. Online, self-paced, about 8 hours, $74.99.

  • Tuition
    $74.99
    Volume pricing from 2 seats
  • Length
    8 hours
    10 modules
  • Format
    Online
    Self-paced, any device
  • Access
    12 months
    LMS access
  • Level
    Beginner
    To intermediate
  • You receive
    Certificate
    Of completion

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain what an animal control officer does day to day, where they work and how the role fits into the team
  • Use 15+ essential animal control officer terms correctly
  • Walk through capture a loose dog safely, investigate a dog bite, and document a neglect case step by step
  • Identify the tools, equipment and technology used on the job
  • Apply core safety, compliance and professional standards
  • Map your path into the field, including credentials such as NACA Animal Control Officer certification

Course syllabus

10 modules, about 8 hours in total.

MODULE 01Introduction to the Animal Control Officer Role40 min
  • What animal control officers do and why the role matters
  • Where they work: settings, employers and teams
  • Pay, job outlook and the career ladder
  • Professional and ethical expectations
MODULE 02A Day on the Job30 min
  • A realistic shift, start to finish
  • Schedules, shifts and workload
  • Working with supervisors, coworkers and customers
  • The best and hardest parts of the job
MODULE 03Essential Animal Control Officer Vocabulary50 min
  • Key term: Catch pole
  • Key term: Bite quarantine
  • Key term: Rabies
  • Key term: Impound
  • Key term: Stray hold
  • Plus 10 more terms with practice drills
MODULE 04Core Duties and Responsibilities50 min
  • 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
MODULE 05Common Tasks, Step by Step1 hr 45 min
  • How to capture a loose dog safely
  • How to investigate a dog bite
  • How to document a neglect case
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
MODULE 06Tools, Equipment and Technology40 min
  • Catch poles and nets
  • Live traps
  • Animal control vehicles
  • Cameras for documentation
  • Bite-resistant gloves
MODULE 07Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards1 hr
  • 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
MODULE 08Skills Employers Look For40 min
  • Animal handling and capture
  • Bite investigation
  • Cruelty investigation
  • Compassion
  • Calm under pressure
MODULE 09Launching Your Animal Control Officer Career40 min
  • Education and training pathways
  • Credential overview: NACA Animal Control Officer certification
  • Credential overview: Euthanasia certification
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Your first 90 days on the job
MODULE 10Final Knowledge Check40 min
  • Comprehensive practice exam with explanations
  • Certificate of completion on passing

Who this training is for

  • Students: find out what the animal control officer job is really like before choosing a program or major.
  • Career changers: test-drive the field and build vocabulary and confidence before investing in formal training.
  • New hires and employers: shorten ramp-up time with a consistent foundation for every new animal control officer.

Pricing

$74.99 per learner. Buying for a team? Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners.

SeatsDiscount
2 to 101% off
11 to 202% off
21 to 503% off
51 to 1005% off
101 to 2507% off
251 to 5008% off
501 to 1,00010% off

Free preview lessons

Sample the course material for free:

Why train for this career

Animal control workers enforce animal laws, capture stray and dangerous animals, investigate bites and cruelty complaints, and rescue animals in distress. BLS reports a median wage of $45,660 (May 2025) and about 1,500 openings per year. Read the full animal control officer career profile or see salary details.

Enroll in Animal Control Officer Training

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Course Animal Control Officer Training · 8 hours · $74.99 per learner

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Animal Control Officer training FAQ
How long is the Animal Control Officer training?
About 8 hours, online, self-paced. You get 12 months of LMS access, so you can learn around work or school.
How much does the Animal Control Officer training cost?
$74.99 per learner. Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners, up to 10% off for large groups.
Is the course online?
Yes. The course runs on our online learning platform (LMS). After you enroll, we email your login details.
Will this course make me a licensed or certified animal control officer?
No. This is a general career-preparation course. It does not by itself grant a state license, national certification or academic credit. It is designed to help you understand the job and prepare for the formal training, exams and interviews that follow.
Who is this course for?
Students exploring careers, adults changing careers, new hires who want a faster ramp-up, and employers onboarding animal control officers.
How do I enroll?
Use the enrollment form on this page. It opens a pre-filled email to our team, and we reply with your payment link or invoice and your LMS access. You can also call 1-866-429-6742.
Do you offer group or employer pricing?
Volume pricing from 2 seats. Choose “My team or employees” on the form or visit our employer training page.
What do I receive when I finish?
Certificate of completion from Career Education Institute after you pass the final knowledge check.


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