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Animal Control Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Baytown

Animal Control Officer

Baytown, TX

$19.78 - $24.73/hr

Animal Control Officer Print ( Apply  Animal Control Officer Salary $19.78 - $24.73 Hourly Location Animal Control, 705 N Robert Lanier Baytown, TX Job Type Full Time Job Number 25-00125 ...

Teller County

Animal Control Officer

Divide, CO

$28.67 - $30.10/hr

Animal Control Officer Teller County's Sheriff's Office is seeking a full-time Animal Control Officer to enforce animal-related laws to protect public safety and animal welfare. Duties include, but ...

King County, WA

Animal Control Sergeant

Seattle, WA · On-site

$41.75 - $52.92/hr

ACOG-Animal Control-DES (RALS) Full- or Part-Time: Full Time Hours/Week: 40 hours/week Summary Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has an exciting opportunity for an Animal Control ...

City of Jerome, ID

Animal Control Specialist

Jerome, ID

$18.07 - $22.59/hr

Police-Animal Control Specialist Rate of Pay: $18.07 - $22.59 Status: Until filled, first review June 16, 2026 Details: Please upload resume. Application must be completed to be considered for this ...

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Animal Control information

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$21K

$40.1K

$60.5K

How much do animal control jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal control in the United States is $40,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,000.00 and $46,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

Where do animal control officers make the most money?

Animal control officers tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and larger urban areas. States or cities with greater budgets for public safety and animal services often offer increased pay, especially for officers with specialized skills or certifications. Salary levels can also vary based on experience, education, and the size of the jurisdiction.

What are some 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.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Animal control jobs typically do not pay $2,000 a day; they usually offer hourly wages or salaries. High daily earnings in related fields may be found in specialized roles such as veterinary surgeons, animal trainers, or wildlife consultants with extensive experience and certifications, but these are less common and often require advanced skills or licensing. Most animal-related jobs pay significantly less on a daily basis.

What qualifications do I need to be an animal keeper?

Animal keepers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience working with animals. Relevant skills include knowledge of animal behavior, safety procedures, and sometimes certifications in animal care or first aid. Some positions may require specialized training or education in biology, zoology, or related fields.

What Are Animal Control Jobs?

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 are animal control officers and what do they do?

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.
More about Animal Control jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Control jobs? Cities with the most Animal Control job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Control jobs? The most popular types of Animal Control jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Control jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Control jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Control jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Control jobs are:
Animal Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Control job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Full Time, 72% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,102 per year, or $19.3 per hour.
Animal Control Officer

Animal Control Officer

GovernmentJobs.com

Dearborn, MI

$16.96/hr

Other

Posted 7 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.

This job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

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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