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Animal Control Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

McHenry County

Animal Control Officer

Crystal Lake, IL · On-site

$23.73 - $27.41/hr

Animal Control Animal Control Officer I II III - Full Time JOB SUMMARY: Enforcing the animal control ordinance and educating the public on responsible pet ownership. Team oriented environment.

GovernmentJobs.com

Animal Control Officer

Oak Park, IL · On-site

Animal Control Officer Employer: Village of Oak Park Salary: Depends On Qualifications Location: Oak Park, IL Job Type: Full-Time Department: Heath Department Closing Date: Continuous Union: SEIU ...

DeKalb County, Illinois

Animal Control Warden

Dekalb, IL · On-site

$19.66 - $21.63/hr

The Animal Control Warden serves in DeKalb County's Animal Control Program as a member of the Health Protection Team under the Health Protection Director. Ideal candidates will have previous ...

Champaign County

Kennel Worker

Urbana, IL · On-site

$18.45 - $23.38/hr

Animal Control Schedule : Weekends, Friday Sunday Summary Responsible for intake of impounded animals, including the classifying, care, and handling of those animals. Primary Responsibilities Include ...

Tazewell County

Administrative Specialist

Tremont, IL · On-site

$43K - $58K/yr

Animal Control Director FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Affiliation: Union - Teamsters Grade: 10 SUMMARY: The Administrative Specialist performs public contact of a clerical nature in a high volume ...

Tazewell County

Administrative Specialist

Tremont, IL · On-site

$43K - $58K/yr

Animal Control Director FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Affiliation: Union - Teamsters Grade: 10 SUMMARY: The Administrative Specialist performs public contact of a clerical nature in a high volume ...

Tazewell County

Administrative Specialist

Tremont, IL · On-site

$43K - $58K/yr

Animal Control Director FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Affiliation: Union - TeamstersGrade: 10 SUMMARY: The Administrative Specialist performs public contact of a clerical nature in a high volume ...

Tazewell County

Administrative Specialist

Tremont, IL

$43K - $58K/yr

Animal Control Director FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Affiliation: Union - Teamsters Grade: 10 SUMMARY: The Administrative Specialist performs public contact of a clerical nature in a high volume ...

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All JobsAnimal Control JobsAnimal Control Jobs in Illinois

Animal Control information

See Illinois salary details

$20.4K

$38.9K

$58.6K

How much do animal control jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control in Illinois is $38,860.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,900.00 and $45,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal control officer?

Animal control officers are professionals responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to the care and control of animals in a community. Their duties include responding to reports of stray or dangerous animals, investigating cases of animal cruelty or neglect, capturing and relocating wildlife, and educating the public about responsible pet ownership. They also work closely with local shelters and may assist in the adoption process for stray or abandoned animals. Animal control officers play a vital role in protecting both animals and the public from harm.

What does an animal control officer do?

Animal control jobs focus on ensuring public safety and protecting animals. In this role, you may patrol your community, investigate reports of hurt or dangerous animals, and rescue pets from mistreatment. Your responsibilities also include supporting the safety of personnel, writing reports, and issuing citations as necessary. In some positions, your duties may involve supporting public awareness efforts. For example, if people need to abandon a pet because they are no longer able to take care of it, animal control officers can help them find a shelter or an adopting family. Animal control officers work with a variety of animals, some of which are dangerous, so the ability to handle a wide range of creatures is essential.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an animal control officer?

To thrive as an Animal Control Officer, you need knowledge of animal behavior, safety protocols, and relevant local regulations, typically supported by a high school diploma and specialized training or certification. Familiarity with animal handling equipment, incident reporting systems, and sometimes law enforcement databases is important. Strong communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills help when interacting with the public and de-escalating tense situations. These competencies ensure public safety, humane treatment of animals, and effective enforcement of animal-related laws.

What are common challenges faced by animal control officers in the field?

Animal control officers often encounter unpredictable situations, such as handling aggressive or frightened animals and addressing emotionally charged interactions with pet owners. They must also navigate varying local laws and regulations, ensuring proper documentation and evidence collection for potential legal cases. Additionally, officers may be required to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends, to respond to emergencies or public safety concerns. Building strong communication skills and resilience is essential to manage these challenges effectively.

What is the difference between Animal Control vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectAnimal ControlAnimal Shelter Worker
CertificationsAnimal Control Officer Certification, sometimes requiredBasic animal handling and shelter management training
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, outdoor, community-basedIndoor shelter facilities, community interaction
Employer & IndustryMunicipal agencies, animal control departmentsAnimal shelters, rescue organizations
Job FocusEnforcing animal laws, capturing stray animalsCaring for animals, adoption services

Animal Control officers primarily enforce laws and capture stray or dangerous animals in the community, often working outdoors. Animal Shelter Workers focus on caring for animals within shelter facilities, preparing them for adoption. While both roles involve animal handling, their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

Is it hard to be an animal control officer?

Animal control officers often face physically demanding work, including handling aggressive animals and working outdoors in various weather conditions. The job requires good communication skills, knowledge of animal behavior, and sometimes certification or training in animal handling and safety protocols.

What do I need to work for animal control?

To work in animal control, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and some positions require a valid driver's license. Relevant skills include animal handling, communication, and sometimes certification in animal care or safety; physical fitness is also important due to the nature of the work.
More about Animal Control jobs

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

The most popular types of Animal Control jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Animal Control jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Animal Control job openings:

Animal Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,860 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Animal Control Warden

DeKalb County Health Department (DeKalb, IL)

Dekalb, IL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Animal Control Warden

The DeKalb County Health Department is seeking a full-time Animal Control Warden. The Animal Control Warden serves in DeKalb County's Animal Control Program as a member of the Health Protection Team under the Health Protection Director. Ideal candidates will have previous enforcement experience as well as experience handling animals.

Responsibilities

  • Apprehends/impounds stray dogs and attempts to identify/notify owners of the impounded dog.
  • Investigates reports of inhumane and cruel treatment of animals and refers to appropriate officials.
  • Interacts with internal/external customers in potential high stress scenarios in a professional manner.
  • Responds to bat related calls and assists with capturing bats for potential testing.
  • Prepare and store animal samples for testing through at the state laboratory as needed or required.
  • Prepares and maintains records and files in accordance with state and local law and Department policy.
  • Works with local and state law enforcement agencies regarding animal control concerns.
  • Attends and participates in required meetings and activities.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Requirements

  • Requires high school education, data entry experience and previous experience in the handling of animals (dogs, cats, wildlife).
  • Requires the ability to understand and enforce the Illinois Animal Control Act and applicable provisions of state/local laws and ordinances.
  • Must be physically fit and able to lift 70 pounds.
  • Requires excellent communication skills; bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
  • Requires the ability to remain professional in all situations.
  • Requires the ability to function independently.
  • Biweekly on-call shifts are required including weekends and holidays.
  • Must be a resident of DeKalb County, Illinois.

Benefits

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Health and Dental Insurance and Vision Insurance (Employee Contribution Required) or Buyout Option.
  • Term Life Insurance
  • Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Pension (Employee Contribution Required)
  • Annual Paid Time Off- starting at 10 vacation days, 12 sick days, 13.5 holidays
  • This is an AFSCME Bargaining Unit position
  • Eligible for Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Schedule:

  • Day Shift
  • Monday-Friday
  • Biweekly on-call hours are required, including weekends and holidays

Work Location: In Person

*Paper applications are available upon request at the DeKalb County Health Department front desk.

Apply