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Animal Control Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Town Of Pecos City

Animal Control Officer

Pecos, TX · On-site

$37K - $49K/yr

GENERAL PURPOSE Animal control officers maintain public safety by enforcing animal licensing laws and humane care regulations while on patrol. Working as an animal control officer can be both ...

Town Of Pecos City

Animal Control Officer

Pecos, TX · On-site

GENERAL PURPOSE Animal control officers maintain public safety by enforcing animal licensing laws and humane care regulations while on patrol. Working as an animal control officer can be both ...

Town Of Pecos City

Animal Control Officer

Pecos, TX · On-site

GENERAL PURPOSE Animal control officers maintain public safety by enforcing animal licensing laws and humane care regulations while on patrol. Working as an animal control officer can be both ...

Town Of Pecos City

Animal Control Officer

Pecos, TX · On-site

$37K - $49K/yr

GENERAL PURPOSE Animal control officers maintain public safety by enforcing animal licensing laws and humane care regulations while on patrol. Working as an animal control officer can be both ...

Smith County

Animal Control Officer

Tyler, TX · On-site

Animal Control Officer The Animal Control Officer performs a variety of field and shelter duties related to the enforcement of animal control laws, protection of public safety, and promotion of ...

Smith County, TX

Animal Control Officer

Tyler, TX · On-site

$40K - $43K/yr

Animal Control Officers work to protect the health and safety of the community while ensuring the humane handling and care of animals in accordance with state law, local ordinances, and accepted ...

Nash County

Animal Control Officer

Nashville, NC · On-site

$42K - $69K/yr

The Animal Control Officer also investigates any calls received pertaining to animal cruelty and/or neglect. Regular work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Employee participates ...

Nash County, NC

Animal Control Officer

Nashville, NC · On-site

$42K - $69K/yr

The Animal Control Officer also investigates any calls received pertaining to animal cruelty and/or neglect. Regular work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employee ...

New

Smith County

Animal Control Officer

Tyler, TX

$40K - $43K/yr

Summary/Objective The Animal Control Officer performs a variety of field and shelter duties related to the enforcement of animal control laws, protection of public safety, and promotion of ...

City of Rochester

Animal Control Officer

Rochester, NY · On-site

Animal Control Officer This employee performs duties in the capture, admission, and care of animals as well as community outreach and the enforcement of City ordinances governing animals in the City ...

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All JobsAnimal Control Officer Jobs

Animal Control Officer information

See salary details

$28.5K

$47.9K

$70.5K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in the United States is $47,913.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $54,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal control officer?

Animal Control Officers are public safety professionals responsible for enforcing laws related to the care and control of animals. They investigate cases of animal cruelty, rescue animals in distress, and manage issues such as stray animals or dangerous pets. These officers often educate the community about responsible pet ownership and may work for local government agencies or animal shelters. Their role helps ensure the safety of both the public and animals in their community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal control officer?

To thrive as an Animal Control Officer, you need a solid understanding of animal behavior, local laws, and public safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma and specialized training or certification. Familiarity with animal handling equipment, incident reporting systems, and sometimes animal capture or tranquilizing tools is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills help build trust with the public and efficiently manage stressful situations. These competencies are crucial for ensuring community safety, humane animal treatment, and effective enforcement of animal-related regulations.

What does an animal control officer do?

As an animal control officer, your job duties include dealing with dangerous wildlife and capturing stray pets and abandoned animals. You may also work on the investigation of animal abuse cases. When on duty, you may patrol a community or wait for a dispatcher to deploy you to deal with an escaped pet, potentially dangerous wildlife, or stray animal. Your responsibilities also include providing care and treatment for injured animals, both wild and domestic. You may work “on call,” meaning that you may be called to provide service at any time of day or night.

What are common challenges an animal control officer faces in the field?

Animal Control Officers often encounter challenging situations such as handling aggressive or frightened animals, dealing with emotionally charged interactions with pet owners, and responding to emergency calls at irregular hours. They must also navigate local laws and regulations while ensuring public safety and animal welfare. Strong communication skills, quick decision-making, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Animal Control Officer vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectAnimal Control OfficerAnimal Shelter Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, sometimes animal control certificationHigh school diploma, animal care training often preferred
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor and community settingsIndoor shelter facilities, animal care areas
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipalities, government agenciesAnimal shelters, rescue organizations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for animal handling and enforcement rolesCompared for animal care and shelter management roles

Animal Control Officers primarily handle wildlife and stray animals in the community, enforcing local laws, while Animal Shelter Workers focus on caring for animals within shelter facilities. Both roles require animal handling skills, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

How hard is it to get into animal control officer?

Becoming an animal control officer typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, along with training in animal handling and local regulations. Some positions may require certification or experience in animal care, and candidates often need to pass background checks and physical assessments. The difficulty varies depending on the region and specific agency requirements.

What skills are needed to be an animal control officer?

Animal control officers need strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with the public and handle animals safely. They should have knowledge of animal behavior, basic veterinary care, and often require physical fitness and the ability to operate equipment such as traps and vehicles. Certification in animal handling or related training is also beneficial for the role.
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Animal Control Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,913 per year, or $23 per hour.

Animal Control Officer

Town Of Pecos City

Pecos, TX • On-site

$37K - $49K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE
Animal control officers maintain public safety by enforcing animal licensing laws and humane care regulations while on patrol. Working as an animal control officer can be both challenging and rewarding, and it requires handling all kinds of animals, from pets to wildlife.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Reports to the Animal Control Supervisor.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises autonomy and sound judgement over tasks as assigned.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The job generally requires the ability to perform the following duties:
  • Capturing and impounding dangerous or stray animals
  • Investigating cases of animal cruelty
  • Enforcing licensing laws and other state, county, and city laws and regulations that are applicable to the animal control program.
  • Providing expert testimony in court cases
  • Rescuing trapped animals
  • Writing incident reports
  • Providing humane care to animals under their supervision

While on duty, animal control officers interact frequently with members of the public. They issue citations and warnings to people for mistreatment of animals in their care and may remove animals from a negligent owner's custody. Officers may also provide educational seminars to the community on topics such as animal welfare and animal-related laws.
In the case of wildlife, officers help relocate these animals-many that have been displaced because of habitat loss or that have come into neighborhoods in search of food and shelter.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
To pursue a career as an animal control officer, applicants must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED and some experience with animals.
  • Highschool Diploma or GED required.
  • Experience with animals and a college degree preferred.
  • Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS
Animal control officers must have knowledge of a wide variety of animal species, animal first aid, animal care and nutrition, humane capture tools and techniques, animal behavior, public relations, cruelty investigation procedures, and law enforcement.
They may also have to deal with animals that are strays or have been abandoned. Officers may also have to investigate and rescue animals in fight rings. This includes taking animals involved in fighting and baiting animals away from the environment and into a safe place.
Animal control officers must also be careful to take adequate safety precautions when working in potentially dangerous situations with unfamiliar and unpredictable animals. There is a high potential for injury when attempting to capture an animal under stress, whether that stress arises from abuse and neglect, or from being in an unfamiliar environment.
  • Emotional stability: Animal control officers often come across difficult situations involving animals in neglected, abused, or injured states. They must know how to work with any emotions that arise in order to be able to effectively assist these animals.
  • Interpersonal skills: This job requires interaction with the public and requires the ability to skillfully navigate difficult situations.
  • Physical agility and stamina: Animal control officers may work on their feet for long periods of time, and need to be able to bend, stretch, and climb under or over obstacles to get to animals in need of help. They must also be ready to safely handle frightened or aggressive animals.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
As with any animal career, working hours can be irregular. Most animal control officers are required to be "on-call" for emergency situations on some nights, weekends, and holidays.
Please be advised that the Town of Pecos City is a drug-free workplace. All candidates with job offer are required to complete a pre-employment drug screening, background check, physical and psychological examination.

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