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Animal Control Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Salina, KS

Animal Control Officer

Salina, KS · On-site

$43K - $46K/yr

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER City of Salina, Kansas Parks & Recreation / Animal Services The Animal Control Officer role offers meaningful, hands-on work for individuals seeking a long-term municipal ...

GovernmentJobs.com

Animal Control Officer

Sacaton, AZ · On-site

Animal Control Officer The Animal Control Officer is responsible for public health issues involving domestic animals and the enforcement of the Gila River Indian Community Domestic Animal Ordinance.

City of Alvin Texas

Animal Control Officer

Alvin, TX

$17.13/hr

A Humane Officer (also referred to as an Animal Control Officer) is under the general supervision of the Shelter Manager who operates the City's animal shelter and is responsible for the enforcement ...

City of Alvin

Animal Control Officer

Alvin, TX · On-site

$17.13/hr

A Humane Officer (also referred to as an Animal Control Officer) is under the general supervision of the Shelter Manager who operates the City's animal shelter and is responsible for the enforcement ...

City of Alvin

Animal Control Officer

Alvin, TX · On-site

$17.13/hr

A Humane Officer (also referred to as an Animal Control Officer) is under the general supervision of the Shelter Manager who operates the City's animal shelter and is responsible for the enforcement ...

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GovernmentJobs.com

Animal Control Officer

Coweta, OK · On-site

Animal Control Officer The Animal Control Officer performs routine and complex public safety work in the enforcement of City and State animal control ordinances and laws. Essential Job Functions An ...

GovernmentJobs.com

Animal Control Officer

Windsor, VA · On-site

Animal Control Officer The Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office is currently taking applications for the position of Animal Control Officer. Application, Background Investigative Form, and ...

Lee County, FL

Animal Control Officer

Fort Myers, FL · On-site

$22/hr

Non-Exempt Description Lee County is seeking a responsible, attentive, and motivated Animal Control Officer to help protect public safety and promote animal welfare throughout the community. This ...

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All JobsAnimal Control Officer Jobs

Animal Control Officer information

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$28.5K

$47.9K

$70.5K

How much do animal control officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 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.

How hard is it to work for animal control?

Working as an animal control officer can be physically demanding and emotionally challenging due to exposure to distressed animals, unpredictable situations, and sometimes hazardous environments. The job requires good communication skills, physical fitness, and often involves working irregular hours, including nights and weekends.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animal Control Officer, and why are they important?

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 is the highest paying job in the animal industry?

In the animal industry, specialized roles such as veterinary surgeons or zoo directors tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and extensive experience, and they typically offer higher compensation compared to entry-level animal control or shelter jobs.

What are some common challenges Animal Control Officers face 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 Do Animal Control Officers 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 do I need to work for animal control?

To work as an animal control officer, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and good communication skills. Some positions require certification in animal handling or related training, and physical fitness is important due to the nature of the work. Prior experience with animals or law enforcement can be beneficial.

What are Animal Control Officers?

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.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Animal Control Officers typically do not earn $4,000 per week without specialized experience or advanced certifications. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree often include roles such as commercial pilots, real estate brokers, or sales managers, which rely on skills, licenses, or performance rather than formal education. These positions may require on-the-job training, licensing, or significant experience to achieve such earnings.
More about Animal Control Officer jobs
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Animal Control Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control Officer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 46% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,913 per year, or $23 per hour.

Animal Control Officer

Isle of Wight County, VA

Windsor, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Animal Control Officer

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 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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