What are the special requirements to be with animal control? (2024)

http://www.humanesocietyu.org/careers_with_animals/working_from_the_heart/care_control/aco.html

Animal Control Officer

Duties

Although the job title varies in different communities, the animal control officer, humane officer, animal services officer, and humane investigator all work to protect stray, injured, abused, and unwanted animals. The challenges and rewards of protecting the health and safety of animals and humans are many. They include opportunities to rescue animals and prosecute individuals who abuse them, provide impounded animals with humane care at the shelter until they may be reunited with their owner or adopted, educate the public about the realities of pet overpopulation and responsible pet ownership, or grant a humane and dignified death to surplus, unwanted, or diseased animals.

Animal control professionals may be employed by municipally-funded animal shelters or non-profit humane societies. Animal control officers may find themselves in dangerous situations controlling stray animals and rescuing injured animals or dealing with irate or irrational animal owners. Their job of protecting animals and the community may involve educating pet owners about responsible ownership and local animal laws, making presentations to groups of school children, or working with social service or law enforcement agencies to protect people and pets in a family.

Animal control officers are not only concerned with an animal’s well-being but with the safety of the community. They usually wear uniforms and in a few states are licensed to carry firearms and certified to enforce state and local laws relating to the mistreatment of animals.

Animal control officers must effectively communicate with animals and people. A large part of the job involves talking to and dealing with people to resolve problems. They may inspect animal-related businesses to be sure that animals are receiving adequate care, rescue trapped or injured animals, investigate animal bites and cruelty complaints, issue citations and file for prosecution of people who violate laws concerning animals. In addition to helping pets and pet owners, animal control officers also work with wildlife.

Education and Background

To accomplish all this, animal control officers require knowledge of anti-cruelty and control laws, proper animal care standards, common animal diseases and treatments, and basic rules of criminal procedure. A high school diploma may be adequate for entry-level positions, with on-the-job training a common condition of employment for novice animal control officers. Desirable backgrounds include study in criminology, law enforcement, veterinary technology, or animal science/behavior.

You need good physical health, emotional stability, and an understanding of and concern for all kinds of animals.

some Degrees or Courses:

* National Cruelty Investigators School Levels

* Animal Science

* Zoology

* Animal Medicine/Health

* Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

* Applied Sciences

* Agriculture

* Etc

Besides getting a degree you'll need some experience with animals. See if you can volunteer at an animal shelter. You could also see what volunteer or youth programs your local police or sheriff offers, that would give you some experience in law enforcement. And volunteering/working at a vet office will help you understand the animals' health.

You could also see about camps and classes that may relate to animal rescue.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/jobs/keeper_faq.html

What are some other ways to gain animal experience?

Some places to look for volunteer jobs or internships might be:

• Veterinary offices

• Animal training classes (does your dog need obedience training?)

• Local Humane Society

• Local Park Service

• Wildlife rehabilitation centers (like for wolves, bears, big cats, birds of prey, and even bats)

• Animal shelters

• Farms (for domestic animals, or even ostrich, llama, or butterfly farms)

• Pet breeders (those that breed specific kinds of dogs, cats, or horses)

• Horse stables and boarding facilities

• 4-H Clubs

http://www.lapdonline.org/youth_programs

http://www.bearriverranch.com/activities.html#JUNIOR_VETERINARIAN

http://www.kshumane.org/critter_camp.html

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_faq_careers

Humane Law Enforcement/Animal Control Officer

Another career that involves both the law and animals is Humane Law Enforcement Officer/Animal Control Officer. HLE/AC officers inspect kennels, pet shops, stables and other places where animals are kept to make sure that animal welfare regulations are being followed. HLE/AC officers respond to and investigate reports of animal cruelty. HLE/AC officers also enforce licensing laws and rescue trapped animals.

Requirements for becoming a HLE/AC officer may include a high school diploma, courses in criminology and animal science and on-the-job training (may be similar to police training).

Some states require certification. Contact your local animal agency for information on humane law enforcement and animal control officer positions.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_ap_hleofficer

Become an HLE Officer

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kids_ri_animalcop

So, You Wanna Be an Animal Cop?

http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2008/03/23/being_animal_cops_also_a_people_job/

Being animal cops also a people job

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_jobs_0767_0768_0772

Long Island City

Humane Law Enforcement Special Agent

Department: Humane Law Enforcement (HLE)

Positions Available: Three (3)

Job Responsibilities:

* Investigate complaints regarding New York City and New York State animal cruelty laws

* Issue summonses and make arrests for violations of cruelty laws

* Testify in court

* Maintain investigative files and write reports

* Inspect animals and animal facilities

* Issue compliance notices where education is needed

* Provide information to the public pertaining to health and care and welfare of animal

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent, college preferred

Experience:

* 21 years of age

* A United States citizen

* New York State resident

* Bondable

* New York State drivers license

* Pass background investigation

Knowledge Requirements:

Law enforcement, investigation and animal care

Skills Requirements:

* Basic computer capabilities

* Some animal handling experience preferred

Training Requirements:

* Able to qualify to carry a firearm and able to pass New York State Peace Officer qualification

Additional Information:

* 12-months probation period

* Training in animal handling

* Investigative experience

* Training in kennels

* Training in firearms

* Training as a NYS Peace Officer

Our office is located in Long Island City.

Benefits:

Our generous benefit package includes the following for full-time employees and (if qualified, we offer domestic partner coverage!) Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Transit checks, Tuition Assistance Program, Training Seminars, EAP, 50% hospital discount, Vacation, Sick, Personal & Company Holiday time off. EOE.

http://leti.missouri.edu/animal3.htm

http://www.humanesocietyu.org/degrees_and_certificates/ (Humane Law Enforcement Online Academy - Under development. Please check back!)

http://www.californiastatehumane.org/training.htm

http://www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=res_HumaneAcademy

http://www.humanesocietyu.org/workshops_and_classes/acfi_nashville.html

http://datcp.state.wi.us/ah/agriculture/animals/welfare/humane-officer/index.jsp

http://www.txacademyaco.com/index.html

http://www.njcacoa.org/

read how other people became Animal Cruelty Investigators

http://www.houstonspca.org/site/PageNavigator/cruelty_and_rescue_investigations_team

http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/animalcops/houston/meet.html

http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/animalcops/meet.html

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kids_cc_hle

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_ap_agents

http://www.nrlo.net/NYSenecaHumaneSociety.html#AboutOfficers

http://www.petfinder.com/journal/index.cgi?article=839

some other info

http://www.animallawresource.com/

http://www.nrlo.net/NYSenecaHumaneSociety.html

http://www.monmouthcountyspca.org/law.htm

http://www.hvhumane.org/hle_more.php

http://www.spcala.com/APS/hle.shtml

http://acinvestigations.org/ACI_Actions.html

http://www.mspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lawenforce_About_MSPCA_Law_Enforcement

http://www.wihumane.org/advocacy/laws/HumaneOfficers.aspx

http://www.humaneleague.com/AboutUs/cruelty.html

http://www.spca914.org/cruel.htm