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Animal Control Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

GovernmentJobs.com

Animal Control Officer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$16.96/hr

Animal Control Officer Salary: $16.96 per hour Minimum Age: 18 years of age Hours of Work: 28 hours per week - Work schedule is to be determined on a monthly basis according to the needs of the ...

St Joseph County

Animal Control Officer

Centreville, MI · On-site

The Animal Control Officer - enforces state and county laws and local animal control ordinances and oversees care of animals detained by the county. Assists the Animal Control Supervisor by managing ...

City of Livonia, MI

Animal Control Officer

Livonia, MI · On-site

$61K - $69K/yr

Public Service Animal Control Opening Date: 08/21/2026 Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern The City of Livonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer SALARY INFORMATION $61,984.00 - $69,076.80 Annually

New

City of Livonia

Animal Control Officer

Livonia, MI · On-site

$67K/yr

Animal Control Officer The City of Livonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer Salary Information $61,984.00 - $69,076.80 Annually * Starting Salary: $61,984.00 * After Six Months of Successful ...

New

City of Livonia

Animal Control Officer

Livonia, MI

$61K - $69K/yr

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES The Animal Control Officer, under the direction of the Director of Public Works, Assistant Director of Public Works, and Superintendent of Public Works, is responsible for ...

New

City Of Warren

Animal Control Officer

Warren, MI · On-site

$58K - $72K/yr

Investigate reports of animal neglect and abuse, collecting and documenting evidence and writing detailed reports. Educate residents on responsible ownership and interact closely with other animal ...

County of St. Clair

Animal Care Technician

Port Huron, MI · On-site

$14.75 - $20/hr

Work is performed under the supervision of the Director of the Animal Control or designee. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Shelter employees to include the Trustees assigned to the shelter. EXPERIENCE ...

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All JobsAnimal Control JobsAnimal Control Jobs in Michigan

Animal Control information

See Michigan salary details

$18.3K

$35K

$52.7K

How much do animal control jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control in Michigan is $34,953.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29,600.00 and $40,500.00 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 Michigan?

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

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Animal Control jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Animal Control job openings:

Animal Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,953 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

Animal Control Officer

GovernmentJobs.com

Dearborn, MI • On-site

$16.96/hr

Other

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Animal Control Officer

Salary: $16.96 per hour

Minimum Age: 18 years of age

Hours of Work: 28 hours per week - Work schedule is to be determined on a monthly basis according to the needs of the department but will be subject to mandatory call-in outside of normal working hours.

Class Summary

This position is responsible for enforcing animal control and related laws. Responsibilities may include investigating complaints; enforcing laws; and patrolling assigned areas.

Typical Class Essential Duties
  • Conducts animal control investigations, including: questioning owners; identifying witnesses; and photographing evidence of animal attacks or abuse; issues warnings, citations, and/or court summons; prepares evidence for use in court.
  • Responds to complaints and requests from the public, including: capturing animals; transporting animals to shelters; and performing related tasks.
  • Attends events to control crowds, respond to protestors, and perform related tasks.
  • Patrols assigned areas to identify unlicensed or stray animals and enforce compliance with animal control laws; checks businesses for compliance with licensing requirements.
  • Performs office tasks, including: preparing animal control reports; answering and directing phone calls; maintaining records; and performing data entry.
  • Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance, including attendance at required meetings.
Knowledge

Investigation principles; Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; Methods of preparing reports; Safe driving principles; Use of dart gun; Computers and applicable software.

Skills

Enforcing laws, rules, and regulations; Conducting investigations; Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Qualifications

Associate's degree; or, High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and 2 years of related experience; or, all required certification(s); or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Licensing Requirements

Michigan Animal Control Officer Certification; Chemical Immolation Certification; Dart Gun Certification; Valid State of Michigan Driver's License

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, gases, extreme temperatures, and environmental threats.

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