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Animal Control Officer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Rainforest Cafe

Animal Care Specialist

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Animal Care Specialist This isn't just your next job - it's your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest's experience the moment they walk ...

Rainforest Cafe

Animal Care Specialist

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Animal Care Specialist This isn't just your next job - it's your opportunity to be part of an amazing team that delivers on our promise to meet and exceed our guest's experience the moment they walk ...

Veterinary United

Site Leader

Troy, MI · On-site

Welcome to Veterinary United At Veterinary United, our animal companions aren't just pets -- they ... Overseefinancial performance, including revenue growth, expense control, and profitability targets.

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All JobsAnimal Control Officer JobsAnimal Control Officer Jobs in Michigan

Animal Control Officer information

See Michigan salary details

$24.8K

$41.8K

$61.4K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in Michigan is $41,761.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,600.00 and $47,100.00 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 Michigan are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Animal Control Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,761 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

Public Safety Officer

City of Benton Harbor

Benton Harbor, MI

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for protecting life and property, to detect and prevent crime and maintain public safety and order by enforcing local, state and federal laws. The Police Officer may be required to use lethal and deadly force in certain situations.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
  • Attend roll call at the start of each shift to receive assignments, notes all pertinent orders and obtains accurate description of all persons and arrest violators. Also serves as deterrent to criminal actions by having presence in the areas.
  • Respond to a variety of citizens’ civil and criminal complaints, including but not limited to domestic quarrels, robberies, break-ins, assaults and acts of vandalism. Assists in addressing complaints and initiates investigations, collecting evidence, interviewing involved parties and witnesses, and protecting the crime scene.
  • Respond to accident scenes and renders first aid to injured persons and investigates the cause of the accident. Duties may include taking photos and measurements, taking statements, and gathering other evidence to determine which party is the cause of the accident.
  • Note malfunctioning public utilities such as leaking water mains, downed power lines, and non-operational street lights and traffic control devices, and corrects the situation or notifies the shift command office.
  • Process evidence of crimes, record and secure storage when received.
  • Appear in court, providing testimony in related cases.
  • Investigate all types of criminal complaints and collect, protect and analyze evidence through the use of a variety of investigative techniques.
  • Apprehend and arrest suspects.
  • Prepare detailed reports of complaints, accidents, arrests and other incidents.
  • Cooperate with other law enforcement agencies, exchanging information, and assisting with criminal investigations.
  • Provide general service information to the public upon request.
  • Appear in court to testify and give evidence on cases.
  • Provide crowd and traffic control and suppress civil disturbances at public gatherings and/or emergency situations.
  • Respond to animal complaints.
  • Administer breathalyzer to detect people legally under the influence of alcohol.
  • Prepare arrest warrants by the authority of the court; utilizes various investigative techniques to locate and arrest persons who have outstanding warrants.
  • Keep current of the latest equipment, methods and techniques used in law enforcement by attending in-service training programs, outside seminars and conferences, and reading pertinent books and periodicals.
  • Perform all other duties usual to the position as required.
NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must possess a High School diploma or equivalent, college degree preferred
  • Possession of a valid Michigan Operator’s License
  • State of Michigan certified police officer having successfully completed all standards proscribed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). MCOLES certification is a condition of continued employment in this classification
  • Be free from any physical defects or chronic diseases which may impair the performance of a law enforcement officer or which may endanger the lives of others or the law enforcement officer.
  • Be free from mental or emotional instabilities which may impair the performance of essential job functions of a law enforcement officer or which may endanger the lives of others or the law enforcement officer.
  • Possess normal color vision without the assistance of color enhancing lenses.
  • Possess 20/20 corrected vision in each eye and possess normal visual functions in each eye.

NOTE: The qualifications listed above are guidelines. Other combination, of education and experience which could provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job should be considered.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Exceptional at English grammar, spelling, punctuation
  • Know legal terminology and court procedures
  • Relevant federal and state criminal laws and traffic codes
  • Court system and judicial procedures
  • Criminal, seizure, administrative and case law
  • Criminal law, police procedure and vehicle operation
  • Geographic area of the City
  • Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
  • Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
  • Technology literate including the operation of computers and systems, digital cameras, car video, electronic ticket writers, car video system, etc.
  • Operation of police vehicles and emergency equipment
  • Good time management
  • Good Judgment and problem solving
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Meet work schedules and deadlines
  • Understand and carry out oral and written directions
  • Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
  • Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
  • Input and retrieve information from/to a computer
  • Deal tactfully with the public and provide effective and efficient services with courtesy, responsiveness, and competence
  • Exercise sound judgment, maintain composure in stressful situations, and perform duties with concern for the safety of self and others
  • Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with individuals in a hostile or antagonistic environment while exercising authority
  • Work effectively as an individual and as a team member
  • Respond to various types of calls
  • Approach scenes in a safe manner
  • Recognize, protect and recover evidence
  • Use appropriate type of force
  • Pursue and apprehend criminal offenders
  • Attend various types of training
  • Transport and process criminals at correctional facilities
  • Execute warrants

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools; reach with hands and arms; climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; and taste and smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during the course of their duties.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
NOTE: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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