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Animal Control Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

National Veterinary Associates

Veterinarian

Ashland, VA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Contracted with Animal Control -- work on shelter pets -- sick visits & elective surgeries (great opportunity for New Grads) * Fully equipped Surgical suite with 2 Tables * Soft Tissue and Orthopedic ...

City of Chesapeake

Veterinarian

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

Conducts medical evaluations, necropsies, and documentation for animal cruelty and neglect cases; collaborates with Animal Control Officers; provides expert testimony in court when needed. * Develops ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

VA · On-site

$55K/yr

If selected as an Animal Identification Coordinator, you will be assigned to Veterinary Services, Field Operations and will be responsible for identifying the herd of origin through the use of the ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAnimal Control JobsAnimal Control Jobs in Virginia

Animal Control information

See Virginia salary details

$20.8K

$39.8K

$60K

How much do animal control jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control in Virginia is $39,758.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,700.00 and $46,100.00 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 Virginia?

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

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Animal Control jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Animal Control job openings:

Animal Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,758 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Arlington, VA • On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and compassionate Chief Operations Officer (COO) to lead the organization's animal sheltering operations and drive excellence across all program areas. The Chief Operations Officer provides strategic and operational leadership for all animal sheltering programs. This position oversees all core operational functions including animal care, shelter veterinary services, behavior, adoptions, foster, and transfer.
The COO works closely with the President/CEO and Chief Animal Control and Community Resources Officer to advance organizational priorities, strengthen operational effectiveness, and ensure high quality care and service for both people and animals. This role is responsible for fostering a collaborative, solutions-oriented workplace grounded in compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to operational excellence.
Through delegation to League employees, the Chief Operations Officer is responsible for ensuring operating procedures align with industry best practice, are responsive to the evolving needs of programs, and support high levels of care for animals. In addition, in coordination with the Chief Animal Control and Community Resources Officer, this position is responsible for carrying out the directives contained in the League's contract with Arlington County and requirements of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The ideal candidate is an adaptable leader who thrives in a fast paced environment and can effectively manage complex challenges and competing priorities. They are data-driven and committed to progressive, community centered industry best practices.
Responsibilities:
  • Provide leadership and oversight for all shelter operations - intake, animal care, behavior, veterinary medicine, adoptions, foster, transfer.
  • Partners with the President/CEO and senior leadership team to develop and implement organizational priorities, operational goals, and long-term strategic initiatives.
  • Promotes a workplace culture that supports employee engagement, accountability, and organizational values.
  • Ensures operations align with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, humane standards of care, and organizational values.
  • Drives operational decision making through the effective implementation of data collection mechanisms and regular benchmarking of program outcomes.
  • Respond to customer service escalations, operational emergencies, critical incidents, and disaster situations with professionalism, compassion, and sound judgment.

Program Oversight
  • Oversee innovative shelter population management strategies to ensure individualized care for animals of all species while maintaining high levels of live outcomes and protecting public safety. Foster an environment of continuous improvement to expand and improve capacity for care.
  • Ensure seamless integration of activities with community resources and animal control operations.
  • Lead collaboration and communication across departments to support timely animal movement decisions, response to the public, and story telling to make the case for support for AWLA.
  • Ensure consistent implementation of policies and procedures and oversee their revision as necessary to maintain high standards of care and operations.
  • Oversee accurate record keeping and reporting to support decision making and comply with regulations .
  • Participate in local, regional and national industry initiatives representing AWLA and to stay abreast of local, regional, and national activities that may impact operations.
  • Represent AWLA at public events, stakeholder engagements and community meetings as needed.

Staff Leadership and Development
  • Lead, coach, and develop staff to build a high-performing, collaborative, and mission-driven team culture while fostering an inclusive and welcoming workplace for employees of all backgrounds and experiences.
  • Support employee growth through regular feedback, mentorship, training, and leadership development opportunities.
  • Promote accountability, professional development, continuous improvement, and strong cross-department communication through operational meetings, coaching, and consistent leadership support.
  • Encourage teamwork and partnership across departments to support organizational goals and positive outcomes.
  • Address employee concerns, operational challenges, and public complaints in a timely, professional, empathetic, and solutions-focused manner.

Financial oversight and Administration
  • Support the development and oversee the implementation of the organization's strategic plan.
  • Work collaboratively with President/CEO, CDO and Director of Finance on annual budget planning, forecasting and resource allocation. Manage budget implementation for related programs, including regular oversight of spending. Ensure purchasing and departmental expenditures align with approved budgets and priorities.
  • Maintain an effective working relationship with Arlington County and City of Falls Church contract officials in support of contractual obligations and other operational integrations.
  • Responsible for all reporting to State and County related to shelter activities.
  • Manage collection of monthly operational data and produce monthly report for internal and stakeholder dissemination.
  • Oversee manager on call activities in response to animal control or foster care emergencies and provide coverage as needed.
  • Support response to FOIA requests for information.
  • Partner with the Chief Development Officer to provide engaging content and story telling for community partners, sponsors, and donors. Represent AWLA to stakeholders as determined.
  • Maintain current shelter operations related to state and local licenses.
  • Provide operational support during emergencies, staffing shortages, or critical incidents as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: The Chief Operations Officer (COO) supervises the following positions:
  • Senior Director of Operations
  • Director of Veterinary Services

Qualifications:
  • At least 5+ (five plus) years of professional management experience in an animal welfare or animal shelter environment required.
  • Knowledge of animal sheltering best practices, humane care standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment .
  • Excellent interpersonal oral and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse groups and communities.
  • Proven success providing constructive feedback to support individual development or progress in a particular area.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask in a sometimes unpredictable work environment.
  • Comfortable using data to inform decision making and adapting programs to optimize outcomes.
  • Ability to preserve cordial, productive relationships with all staff and board members with maintaining confidentiality pertaining to privileged administrative and operational information
  • Ability to remain calm, adaptable and solution focused in emotionally charged or emergency situations.
  • Experience managing organizational change, operational growth, or program development strongly preferred.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, Google Suite, shelter management software and other reporting tools.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality with sensitive organizational information.
  • Have a passion for the mission and a deep commitment to the goals of the organization

Work is performed in both office and shelter environments, with regular exposure to animals, animal sounds, dander, disinfectant solutions, and variable temperatures. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment, and the ability to move throughout shelter facilities including offsite event locations. Must be comfortable around dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians, and wildlife. May occasionally assist with animal handling or event support, with or without reasonable accommodation. Requires flexibility to work with frequent interruptions and occasional evening/weekend availability for organizational events.
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, volunteers, and program participants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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