What Do Animal Control Workers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Animal Control Workers handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals. They also investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.

Other tasks include:

• Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
• Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.
• Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
• Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.
• Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
• Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.

We asked Animal Control Workers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Animal Control Workers contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities. They examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.

A typical day for an Animal Control Worker will also include:

• Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
• Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
• Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
• Examine animal licenses, and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.
• Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.

We asked some Animal Control Workers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	86% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	53% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	95% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	78% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	53% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Animal Control Workers also prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court. They may also supply animals with food, water, and personal care.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Animal Control Workers Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals. They might also Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.

In addition, they Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Train police officers in dog handling and training techniques for tracking, crowd control, and narcotics and bomb detection.

To some Animal Control Workers, it is also their responsibility to Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Animal Control Worker, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/animal-care-and-service-workers.htm

http://www.nationaldoggroomers.com/

http://www.apdt.com/

http://www.petsitters.org/