How to Become an Animal Control Worker?

What do Animal Control Workers do?

An Animal Control Worker would typically need to:

• Strictly enforce animal cruelty laws and prevent animal suffering. Assume responsibility for the welfare of neglected, stray, or potentially harmful animals.
• Examine incidents of animal cruelty or animal assaults by speaking with witnesses and gathering relevant information.
• Protect the public by addressing reports of potentially harmful or wild animals.
• Search for stray or potentially hazardous animals, look into animal cruelty or neglect reports, and ticket or warn anyone responsible for such behaviour.
• Help mistreated, trapped, displaced, or abandoned domestic and wild animals by capturing, inspecting, removing, and rehabilitating them.
• Transport abused or abandoned animals to sanctuaries; drive sick or wounded pets to the doctor
• Contact the owners of missing domestic pets and let them know their animal is safe and sound at an animal shelter.
• Maintain the well-being of the animals in their charge, and assist with the euthanasia of unwanted, extremely sick, or rabid animals.
• Keep records of all animal impounds and rescues.
• Compose reports detailing animal abuse, and testify in legal proceedings involving such incidents.
• Suitably engage with the public and inform them about animal care and welfare regulations.
• Assist in training police dogs for tracking, crowd control, and narcotics/bomb detection.
• Assist with cleaning stables, kennels, and other animal-care facilities; assist with cleaning and maintaining an animal vehicle.

Standard Work Environment

An Animal Control Worker’s work environment might change daily based on factors such as the kind of animal and individuals they are dealing with.

When rescuing and transporting animals, they often operate in physically demanding outdoor positions and locales.

Because of the nature of their job, Animal Control Workers spend a lot of time on the road. After taking all necessary measures, they may still be forced to interact with a potentially deadly animal or person.

Working with situations of animal cruelty may be very emotionally taxing.

Work Schedule

Work schedules are often unpredictable. You will likely need to be available 24/7 during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Employers

Animal Management Governments, nonprofits, private businesses, and advocacy organizations are all potential employers. It might not be very safe to look for a new job. Several ways to improve your job search include networking, direct company contact, online job boards, career fairs, social media, and staffing agencies.

Employers typically include:

• Law Enforcement
• Animal Control Agencies
• Shelters
• National or Local Rescue Organizations
• International Rescue Organizations

Unions / Professional Organizations

The International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) is one of the most important professional groups and organizations for anybody interested in a career in animal control. They may meet other professionals in the same field and expand their professional network.

Participation in extracurricular activities and organizations is always a plus on a CV. Get in touch with groups on a regional and national scale to find out how you can help.

Workplace Challenges

• The need to maintain necessary safety precautions, especially when rescuing animals from risky locations or interacting with dangerous animals
• High potential for injury, especially when dealing with an injured, aggressive or stressed animal
• Staying emotionally healthy and robust when dealing with cases of animal abuse or with animals that need to be euthanized
• Staying safe while dealing with unstable or dangerous pet owners or people

Suggested Work Experience

Prospective Animal Control Workers may benefit from internships and work experience by learning about various animals and demonstrating their commitment to the field through their work.

Students who want to help animals may volunteer at a local animal shelter, veterinary clinic, humane society, animal training facility, rescue organization, or wildlife rehabilitation facility. Experience as a law enforcement officer, vet tech, animal trainer, wildlife rehabilitator, shelter manager, or in a similar job involving working with animals is preferred.

Some jurisdictions require Animal Control Workers to have a minimum number of training hours before they may be hired. However, appropriate job experience may be accepted instead of formal education.

Recommended Qualifications

Animal control workers need a high school diploma or GED to enter the field. Most education is acquired via on-the-job training. However, you may also find appropriate coursework in specialized universities, colleges, and police academies.

If you want to improve your employability by learning more about animal nutrition, physiology, behaviour, and management, consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal science, veterinary science, or criminology.

Ambitious Animal Welfare Students majoring in a scientific discipline in college should focus their high school studies on biology, chemistry, and physics.

While most companies teach their new workers on the job, some may require Animal Control Workers to start participating in formal, external training. Public relations, animal first aid, and evidence gathering could be included in introductory courses, whereas animal capture, cruelty investigations, and animal confinement might be covered in more advanced ones.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Find out what is required of you legally by contacting the appropriate agencies in your area. Voluntary certifications from national or worldwide rescue organizations may help Animal Control Workers establish credibility in fields where certification is not mandated. You may also take classes online.

Some employers recommend or even require that prospective employees get CPR and weapons training due to the job’s strenuous and often deadly nature. Candidates for positions in animal control may also be required to demonstrate sufficient health.

In certain areas, you may also need a local animal control agency certificate proving that you know animal illnesses, shelter management, animal welfare principles, first aid, and animal identification.

Background checks, drug testing, and proof of a driver’s license are common requirements for many jobs nowadays.

Projected Career Map

Animal Control Workers who acquire more education, credentials, and experience might advance to senior officers within their organization.

You may also work in a veterinary hospital or zoo if you meet the minimum criteria. Some people who work in animal control go into similar fields, such as law enforcement or rescue organizations serving humans.

Job Prospects

N/A

Beneficial Professional Development

Individuals of any age, in any career, and with any amount of prior knowledge may consistently improve their abilities via continuing professional development (CPD). It keeps theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience from becoming irrelevant. It helps those working in Animal Control learn where they may need further education or training to advance their careers.

Once employed, Animal Control Workers get on-the-job training by shadowing a more seasoned officer. They spend a few months learning the ropes under an experienced supervisor’s watchful eye.

CPD courses in shelter management, animal illnesses, first aid, and ethics are all available from national rescue organizations and agencies. Community colleges, animal shelters, and trade schools may also offer relevant programs.

In certain areas, working with animals requires you to undergo specific training. Make sure you double-check with the government for the specifics.

Humane animal capture methods, animal care and nutrition, animal behaviour, law enforcement, public relations, and cruelty investigations are some skills that animal control workers should have or strive to acquire.

There may be more opportunities for those having a bachelor’s degree in an area relating to animals.

Conclusion

A job in animal control could be rewarding if you care deeply about animal welfare and believe that animals should be treated fairly. It’s wonderful to know that, despite the difficulties of the job, you’re making a difference in the lives of defenceless animals.

Advice from the Wise

Visit parks and other public areas where pet owners congregate with their animals and start conversations with the owners and their pets. Inquire whether they have any worries or problems that an animal control worker should know.

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