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Animal Control Officer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

City of Hampton, VA

Animal Response Team Officer

Hampton, VA · On-site

$44K - $48K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

ANIMAL CONTROL Opening Date: 06/08/2026 Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern FLSA: Non-Exempt ... The City of Hampton is seeking an Animal Response Team Officer to protect and serve the public by ...

PETA

Animal Care Officer

Norfolk, VA

$43K - $55K/yr

... animal control agencies in situations requiring legal intervention, and follow up to ensure that action is taken Conduct investigations involving neglected or abused animals Perform emergency first ...

FSAP and PETA

Animal Care Officer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$43K - $55K/yr

... with animal control agencies in situations requiring legal intervention, and follow up to ensure that action is taken • Conduct investigations involving neglected or abused animals • Perform ...

Stafford County

Animal Caretaker

Stafford, VA · On-site

$19.25 - $33.69/hr

... Animal Control Officers Inputs and retrieves information on the computer such as records on dog licenses, citizen complaints, and shelter information Performs related tasks of a similar nature or ...

County of Culpeper

Animal Care Technician

Culpeper, VA · On-site

$32K - $54K/yr

... animal control services, etc. Completes necessary shelter paperwork including treatment sheets Perform clerical and data entry Stocks shelter supplies, animal food, kitty litter, and cleaning ...

County of Culpeper, VA

Animal Care Technician

Culpeper, VA · On-site

$32K - $54K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Answers shelter phone lines; provides information to the public regarding shelter operations, animal control services, etc. * Completes necessary shelter paperwork including treatment sheets

City of Lynchburg

Police Officer 2026

Lynchburg, VA

$50K/yr

Description Police Officers perform responsible protective service work involving a variety of ... Responds to animal control calls when animal warden is unavailable Assists at special events such ...

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All JobsAnimal Control Officer JobsAnimal Control Officer Jobs in Virginia

Animal Control Officer information

See Virginia salary details

$28.3K

$47.5K

$69.9K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control officer in Virginia is $47,502.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,200.00 and $53,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.
More about Animal Control Officer jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Animal Control Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,502 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Animal Control Officer

Isle of Wight County

Isle Of Wight, VA

$42K - $56K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Description The Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office is currently taking applications for the position of Animal Control Officer. Application, Background Investigative Form, and Authorization for Release of Information Form may be picked up Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm at the Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office, 17110 Monument Circle, Isle of Wight, VA 23397, or can be downloaded from www.isleofwightsheriffsoffice.com under the "Employment" tab. Position is open until filled at the Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office

Required Qualifications Applicants must be of good character, possess a High School Diploma and a valid Virginia driver's license. Candidates must have no felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude. Requires a valid driver's license, state animal control, and euthanization certifications.

Selected individuals will be required to undergo an oral interview and a comprehensive background investigation.

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