Animal Control Workers

33-9011.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

Also known as: ACO (Animal Control Officer), Adoption Counselor, Animal Attendant, Animal Control Specialist, Animal Cop, Animal Cruelty Investigator, Animal Enforcement Officer, Animal Instructor Officer, ...

Annual Salary

$45,830

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$38,160 25th – 75th percentile $57,110
10th percentile $32,880
90th percentile $69,990
U.S. Employment: 11,790

Job Outlook

+3.9%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 1,300 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
  • Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
  • Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
  • Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
  • Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals.
  • Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.
  • Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.
  • Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.
  • Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
  • Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.

Top Skills

Active Listening 3.8
Speaking 3.6
Critical Thinking 3.5
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Writing 3.0
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Service Orientation 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Public Safety and Security 4.5
Law and Government 4.5
English Language 4.3
Customer and Personal Service 4.2
Administrative 3.6
Education and Training 3.3
Communications and Media 3.1
Biology 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
65.4%
Certificate
19.2%
Associate's
11.5%
Bachelor's
3.9%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Visio Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software

Other Tools

Animal Shelter Manager ARK Software Ark Shelter Software CISCO Software ACS Animal Control System Esri ArcGIS Geographic information system GIS software Geographic information system GIS systems Multiple Options Animal Shelter Management System RescueConnection Software ShelterConntection RoseRush Services Shelter Pro TRAX Animal Control and Dog Warden Officer Software Web browser software Word processing software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.4
Dependability
2.4
Stress Tolerance
2.2
Self-Control
2.1
Integrity
2.0
Attention to Detail
1.9
Perseverance
1.8
Cooperation

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Expression 4.0
Problem Sensitivity 4.0
Oral Comprehension 3.9
Deductive Reasoning 3.6
Speech Clarity 3.3
Inductive Reasoning 3.3
Written Comprehension 3.0
Written Expression 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.7
Documenting/Recording Information 4.6
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.6
Communicating with People Outside the Organization 4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.4
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment 4.4
Getting Information 4.3
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Telephone Conversations
5.0
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
5.0
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
5.0
E-Mail
4.9
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
4.9
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.8
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
4.6
Frequency of Decision Making
4.6
Contact With Others
4.6
Exposed to Contaminants
4.6
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
4.6
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.5

Related Careers

Veterinarians
$126K
Correctional Officers and Jailers
$58K
Coroners
$78K
Private Detectives and Investigators
$52K
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
$78K
Transit and Railroad Police
$82K
Police Identification and Records Officers
$94K
Animal Scientists
$79K
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
$94K
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Is Animal Control Workers right for you?

Take our free career quiz to see how you match with this and 900+ other careers.

Take the Quiz

Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.