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Animal Control Officer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Rialto, CA

Animal Control Officer I/II

Rialto, CA · On-site

$25.03 - $33.54/hr

Animal Control Officer I: Hourly: $24.30 - $32.56 Animal Control Officer II: Hourly : $26.82 - $35.95 *Listed amounts indicate the first and last steps of the range for each position. Essential ...

City of Rialto

Animal Control Officer I/II

Rialto, CA · On-site

$26.82 - $35.95/hr

Animal Control Officer I: Hourly: $24.30 - $32.56 Animal Control Officer II: Hourly: $26.82 - $35.95 *Listed amounts indicate the first and last steps of the range for each position. Essential Duties ...

City of Hayward

Animal Control Officer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$77K - $93K/yr

The ideal Animal Control Officer is compassionate, service-oriented, and committed to building positive relationships with the community. They demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and patience when ...

SEAACA

Animal Control Officer

Downey, CA · On-site

$22.81 - $28.26/hr

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER $22.8182 to $28.2675 per hour, generous benefits package, including 14% agency contribution to retirement. (Unbenefited position during training). Minimum age requirement: 18 ...

City of Hayward, CA

Animal Control Officer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$77K - $93K/yr

The ideal Animal Control Officer is compassionate, service-oriented, and committed to building positive relationships with the community. They demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and patience when ...

LTD Global

Animal Control Officer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

About the organization A nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to promoting compassion and respect for all living creatures. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, it provides a wide range ...

LTD Global

Animal Control Officer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

About the organization A nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to promoting compassion and respect for all living creatures. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, it provides a wide range ...

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All JobsAnimal Control Officer JobsAnimal Control Officer Jobs in California

Animal Control Officer information

See California salary details

$28.1K

$47.3K

$69.6K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in California is $47,286.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $53,300.00 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.

Is it hard to be an animal control officer?

Being an animal control officer can be physically demanding and requires strong communication, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of animal behavior and local laws. The job often involves working outdoors in various weather conditions and handling potentially aggressive animals, which can be challenging but manageable with proper training and experience.

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.
More about Animal Control Officer jobs

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The most popular types of Animal Control Officer jobs in California are:

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For Animal Control Officer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Control Officer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Control Officer jobs in California are:

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Cities in California with the most Animal Control Officer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Animal Control Officer jobs in CA?

For Animal Control Officer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Animal Control Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,286 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Animal Control Officer

Animal Friends of the Valleys

Wildomar, CA • On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Who we’re looking for:
Animal Control Officer
Who we are:
Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) is the leading animal shelter for the cities of Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Canyon Lake and Wildomar, and small parts of Riverside County. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing top-quality animal welfare and animal control services for our client cities. If you are looking for a way to make a difference and not just a job, AFV is exactly what you’re looking for!
Summary of Duties:
Performs tasks related to the enforcement of animal control laws within the Cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Wildomar and Menifee. Educates the community about stray or vicious animals and related diseases; captures, impounds, relocates, and when necessary, disposes of animals; and maintains records. Investigates animal complaints from members of the community. Issues citations for violation of City Code(s), or applicable state law. Prepares reports as appropriate and testifies in court as directed.
Essential Functions:
  • Patrols designated service area streets, roads and parks in an AFV vehicle; searches for stray or abandoned animals; captures and confines animals using appropriate procedures.
  • Contacts dog owners by house to house canvass to locate unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs (and cats where applicable).
  • Patrols for stray, vicious, injured, dangerous, unwanted or improperly controlled animals and responds to community member complaints regarding same.
  • Responds to emergency calls, such as cruelty to animal complaints, animal bites, control of poisonous or dangerous animals, and stray animals.
  • Investigates reports or complaints of dogs, cats or other animals creating nuisances; uses tactical communication style to de-escalate situations and mediation techniques to reconcile complaints.
  • Testifies in court as directed.
  • Prioritizes calls using effective time management methods.
  • Issues citations, administrative citations and court citations for violations of animal control and licensing ordinances as necessary.
  • Writes incident reports, gathers evidence, prepares and presents cases at administrative hearings and/or appears in court as a witness as necessary
  • In field conditions, may euthanize severely injured animals in a safe and humane manner as required.
  • May make warrant and warrantless arrests related to penal code 830.9; search and seizure, issue warning, dangerous animal statement, citations, interview victims, complainants and witnesses.
  • May assist Police Officers on high risk operations including dynamic and tactical entries, searches, and in serving arrest warrants, when vicious dogs may be present.
  • Able to use tranquilizer pistol and rifle as a last alternative
  • Answers emergency calls concerning person(s) bitten by animals.
  • Impounds and quarantines potentially rabid animals in strict confinement, checks the animal at intervals during the quarantine period, and releases the animal at the end of the quarantine period.
  • Issues citations for the quarantine.
  • Picks up and transports sick and injured animals to a veterinarian.
  • Picks up dead animals and disposes of properly.
  • Performs chemical restraint procedures as necessary.
  • Cleans and maintains the animal control vehicle and cages utilized to detain the animals.
  • Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports concerning animal control violations and transactions
  • Keeps detailed records of daily activities including times, miles, animal impounds, addresses and findings.
  • Operates, cleans and disinfect equipment and vehicle(s)
  • Oversees the maintenances of and maintains vehicle(s) and equipment in accordance with state regulations.
  • Sets up cages and provides water, food and a blanket to all impounded animals.
Other Duties:
  • Explains ordinances relating to the care and keeping of animals to the public; promotes and provides education to the public regarding the keeping and care of pets.
  • Maintains contact with citizens regarding animal control issues and problems and preserves good relationships with the general public; takes an active role in public education related to animal control issues.
  • Attends meetings and responds to related questions and complaints; provides public education regarding animal control.
  • Presents and maintains a positive and professional image of the police department; participates in community oriented policing.
  • Assists with training of new animal control staff as needed.
  • Performs related duties as assigned
Qualifications and Certifications and/or Education
  • Two years of experience in the care and handling of animals and/or two years of experience in some capacity of law enforcement.
  • Valid California Class “C” driver’s license
  • Possession or be able to possess a certificate for euthanasia.
  • Possession of a valid P.O.S.T. approved P.C. 832 Certificate prior to application recommended. Must obtain a certificate within 4 months of employment with AFV. Failure to obtain the required certificates will result in release employment.
In Addition to Qualifications and Certifications and/or Education:
Knowledge of:
  • Various breeds of dogs, cats, marine and other wild or domestic animals.
  • Various types of animal behavior.
  • Various provisions of penal code 830 related to animal control and penal code 832-arrest.
  • First aid and CPR procedures and practices.
Ability to:
  • Work independently, prioritize calls and respond appropriately to a variety of animal complaints.
  • Work effectively in stressful situations
  • Exercise good judgement and make sound decisions
  • Euthanize severely injured animals in emergencies.
  • Perform a variety of animal control activities such as animal handling, capturing, and confining.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; write defensible reports.
  • Write legibly
  • Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.
  • Obtain information through interview and interrogation, deal fairly and courteously with the public.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to Carry and Use of Law Enforcement Equipment as it Pertains to:
  • Collapsible ASP Baton under the protection of California Penal Code Section 22295 (regularly employed and compensated by a person engaged in any lawful business, while actually employed and engaged in protecting and preserving property or life within the scope of employment).
  • Handcuffs for matter and purposes of legal and lawful detention while police arrive.
  • Pepper Spray under the protection of California Penal Code Section 22820 (person has satisfactorily completed a course of instruction approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training in the use of tear gas).
_____________________________________________________________________
Benefits and Compensation:
- $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
- Health / Medical
- Life
- Dental
- Vision
- 403B Retirement Account (401K for Non-Profits)
- Colonial Voluntary Insurance
- Employee Discount Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Accrued Vacation
- Non-Exempt, Full-Time
Working Conditions:
Environmental Conditions:
  • Field environment; travel from site to site. Hot and cold temperatures; inclement weather.
Physical Conditions:
  • Essential and marginal functions may require gaining and maintaining control of large and often aggressive animals; lifting/carrying medium-heavy objects of up to 75 lbs. of weight, maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, squatting, twisting, running, stooping and walking for prolonged periods of time; operating motor vehicle and other equipment.
Work Attire:
  • Wear an AFV approved uniform and related equipment including badge, collapsible ASP baton; handcuffs and spray.
Work Assignment:
  • Subject to irregular work shifts including evening, weekend and holiday shift assignments.
Direct Reports: This is a non-supervisory role
What can we offer you?
- $18.00 to $20.00 per hour
- Training courses and continuing education
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, insurance benefits available.
- Colonial Voluntary Insurance
- Uniform Allowance - boots
- 403B Retirement Savings (Think 401K for non-profits.)
- Extensive Employee Discount Program to help you save money on a wide variety of products and services.
- Employee Assistance Program to help you through life’s challenges, including counseling and coaching services; assistance with legal, financial and career questions; and so much more!

Apply