ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animal Control Officer Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

City of New Albany

Animal Care Aid I

New Albany, IN · On-site

$14.50 - $19.75/hr

Dispatches messages to Animal Control. * *Responsible for humane care and assistance with euthanasia as needed. * Performs other duties as assigned. STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE * Reports to work in a ...

Valparaiso

POLICE OFFICER Part Time

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

POLICE OFFICER-Limited Part Time up to 44 weeks per year Performs a variety of routine, and complex ... escorts, animal control, medical and fire assistance, motorist assists, and other services.

Valparaiso

1st Class Police Officer

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

To provide campus policing services to the campus community, as needed. (including, but not limited to: safety programming, bank details, Clery reporting, funeral escorts, animal control, medical and ...

Valparaiso

1st Class Police Officer

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

To provide campus policing services to the campus community, as needed. (including, but not limited to: safety programming, bank details, Clery reporting, funeral escorts, animal control, medical and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAnimal Control Officer JobsAnimal Control Officer Jobs in Indiana

Animal Control Officer information

See Indiana salary details

$27.1K

$45.6K

$67.1K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in Indiana is $45,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,600.00 and $51,400.00 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

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Control Officer jobs in Indiana?

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Animal Control Officer jobs?

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

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

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

Animal Control Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,592 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Animal Control Officer

City of New Albany

New Albany, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Working under the direction of the Animal Shelter Director and Assistant Director, the Animal Control Officer is responsible for the daily animal control field work and associated records along with animal care within the shelter as needed.
"*" denotes an essential function of the job
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. *Performs all activities of Animal Control fieldwork.
  2. *Investigates citizen's complaints according to departmental policies and procedures as directed.
  3. *Responsible for the capture and impoundment of animals.
  4. *Coordinates and safeguards the procedures for animal bite quarantines, head removal and shipping for rabies testing when necessary.
  5. *Ability to communicate and coordinate between law enforcement and the shelter.
  6. *Responsible for the care, maintenance of animal control vehicle, sanitary condition of all assigned equipment.
  7. *Communicates effectively both orally and in writing.
  8. *Handles animals in a humane manner as trained.
  9. *Maintains valid Driver's License.
  10. *Maintains a positive image with the public in the course of educating them on responsible pet ownership.
  11. *Stays current with national trends in animal shelter issues and travels to training as needed.
  12. *Testifies in court regarding investigations conducted.
  13. *Enforces City Ordinances and state laws as required for animal control.
  14. *Responsible for the intake and set up of animals brought into the shelter by animal control and public.
  15. *Safeguards the procedures in entering data into the computer system correctly.
  16. *Assists shelter staff as needed with cleaning and daily duties of the shelter.
  17. *Conducts investigations regarding animal control related problems.
  18. *Takes an "on call" status rotationally.
  19. *Completes required reports and keeps accurate records.
  20. *Picks up and removes dead animals as necessary.
  21. *Assists in treatment and euthanasia of shelter animals.
  22. *Performs other duties as assigned.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE
  1. Ability to understand and apply a full range of generally accepted principles and theories related to animal control.
  2. Ability to communicate effectively.
  3. Must be able to work with administrators and provide service to the public.
  4. Ability to obtain Police Commission.
  5. Ability to extensively study new areas of animal control to find methods and programs that have a significant positive impact on the success of the Animal Shelter's goals.
  6. Ability to make rapid analysis and decisions, communicating with the public and taking action. Independent analysis and plan development is expected without specific instructions from the supervisor.
  7. Maintain initiative to preserve the flow of work.
  8. Work under stress and with commitment to deadlines.
  9. Sustain interpersonal relationships which encourage openness, candor and trust, both internally and with the general public.
  10. Complete projects and/or reports in accurate and timely manner
  11. Maintain City information in a confidential manner.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  1. Ability to work as a team member.
  2. Display professional appearance, warm demeanor and positive attitude.
  3. Be a motivated self-starter.
  4. Work independently and to be accurate, efficient and organized.
  5. Manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  6. Work under pressure with time constraints in a changing environment.

WORKING ENVIORNMENT AND CONDITIONS
  1. Consistently exposed to animal related hazards when handling animals while assisting staff or the public.
  2. May be exposed to extremes in weather conditions.
  3. Frequent bending and lifting and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  4. This position involves being on 24 hour call on a rotating basis.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING
  1. Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, Animal Science or related field; OR at least two years of experience at an Animal Control agency or similar organization; or related profession.
  2. Specialized knowledge of the principles and objectives of animal control and of law enforcement activities.
  3. Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in written form.
  4. A pleasant, friendly, and outgoing demeanor.
  5. Willingness to take on additional tasks as assigned.

Apply