What are animal control officer jobs? What is an animal control officer job description? How much is the salary for animal control officer jobs? How to start doing animal control officer jobs?
There are fewer stray cats and dogs on the streets than in the past, which used to be a burden for public safety. It is the animal control officers who captured strays and put the situation under control. Besides that mission, animal officers also deal with all kinds of animals and animal-related cases. Let’s look at their job and find out what it takes to do animal control officer jobs.
Table of Contents
What Is An Animal Control Officer’s Job?
As the name suggests, an animal control officer job description covers various animal-related duties to maintain public safety. They apprehend and impound strays, rescue animals that are mistreated, injured, or unwanted, and take care of them.
Those with animal control officer jobs are on duty 365 days per year. After an 8-hour workday, they rotate standby shifts to handle any emergencies that may occur. On a typical patrol of an animal control officer, they go around the streets and take lost, abandoned dogs or cats to the shelter. They also receive calls to help citizens who find lost or wounded animals and instruct them what to do. If the situation is serious, an animal control worker will show up to handle it.
Animal control officers receive calls to help citizens who find lost or wounded animals – Source: Nathalie Ehrnleitnern
On a bad day, animal control workers might have to handle canines with rabies, animals with infectious diseases. They are responsible for many challenging and dangerous tasks, such as seizing, quarantine, or even paralyze the animals if necessary.
It can differ from state to state, but an animal control officer job description is likely to include most to all tasks listed below:
- Providing humane animal care
- Patrolling assigned areas and responding to animal-related incidents.
- Capturing stray or dangerous animals
- Investigating animal cruelty cases
- Testifying at court and writing reports
- Rescuing trapped animals
- Administering immediate first aid to injured animals and transporting them to the veterinarian.
- Euthanizing injured, sick, dying animals.
Salary Range And Other Benefits Of animal Control Officer Jobs
An animal control officer’s payment depends on many factors, like their employers, location, and experience.
Based On Employers
Animal control officers’ wages can fluctuate dramatically depending on their position. Those working for state governments are reported to have the highest pay-rate, approximately $47,020 annually. Most animal control officers, about 89 per cent, work for local governments with an average yearly salary of about $39,830. There are also a minority of animal control workers (1,050 people) whose annual income is $38,600, as they work for social advocacy organizations, for example, animal shelters.
Based On Location
We will guide you on how to choose a specific state for more financial benefits. A 2019 BLS analysis suggested that animal control workers in the West area led the pack in earnings. The top highest-paying states for this occupation are Alaska ($54,210 yearly) with the first rank, and California, $53,920 per year, is the second.
More recent data also show similar results and suggest a rise in the highest annual salaries. In 2020, zippia.com’s similar researches concluded that Alaska is likely to remain the best for an animal control officer in America as they offer the highest annual pay ($78,285). The 2nd rankers are Rhode Island ($66,490) and Massachusetts ($63,295). Compared to 2019, the highest average payment per year rose by more than 30%.
Based On Experience
An animal control officer with more experience earns a lot more than those at an entry-level. For starters, the job offers an hourly rate of $13.65, including tips and other bonuses, which is common throughout the States. With less than five years of experience, $14.30 hourly in total compensation is an expected rate. More experienced (5-9 years) animal control officers earn $15.15 per hour.
With 10 to 19 years of experience, an animal control officer makes on average total compensation of $17.68 per hour. In their later career (20+ years), employers are willing to pay them a total compensation of $20 on average.
Annual Payment For Animal Control Officer
The overall payment for an animal control officer can be anywhere from $26,000 to $76,000 a year, according to zippia.com’s data. Based on a survey conducted in 2019 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), Median Annual Salary for animal control officers is $37,590 per year. The highest pay rate for the top 10% Annual Salary is $59,610. In general, a standard animal control officer earns $40,000.
How To Become An Animal Control Officer?
To pursue this career path, higher education or special certificates are not required. By getting a high school diploma or passing the General Education Development (GED) tests, one can start working as an animal control officer. However, previous experience working with animals, such as in shelters, can make you stand out from other candidates.
Previous experience working with animals can make you stand out from other candidates – Source: Helena Lopes
After getting the job, an entry-levelled animal control officer will receive further training from more experienced officers. That consists of educating fundamental knowledge of various animal species, their needs, and how to take good care of them. Other skills such as capturing animals, administering first aid, and euthanizing are also included in the process.
To further on the career ladder or quickly get a job in the field, one may consider obtaining certificates from animal control officer certification programs. How to become an animal control officer with proper education? Many courses are available, such as those of Animal Control Training Services (ACTS) and East Coast Animal Control Academy. These courses provide in-depth training needed to apply for higher-paying animal control officer jobs in the field, such as those jobs in state governments.
Job Prospect
The government is expecting more workers in the Animal Control area. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the animal care and services field would grow more than 22 per cent through 2026. This growth rate is much faster than the general 7 per cent for other occupations in the U.S.
The animal-care-and-services field would grow more than 22 per cent through 2026 – Source: Burak K
Key Takeaways
- Animal control officer jobs cover animal-related duties to maintain public safety. The tasks last 365 days per year and are different from state to state.
- Animal control officer jobs’ salary is differed based on employers, location, and experience. It can be $26,000 – $76,000 a year.
- How to become an animal control officer? You need only a high school diploma to start, but previous education background and experience can make it easier to get the job.
- The field of animal control officer jobs is developing rapidly as the animal services area is thriving.
Animal control officer jobs are impressive, indeed. Not only do the officers help protect people’s lives, but they also rescue animals and offer them help. Does this career sound interesting enough? If Yes, then maybe someone is ready to embark on this journey! Let’s give it a go, protect the people, and the animals as an animal control officer!
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