How to become an animal control worker

Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What animal control workers do

• Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
• Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
• Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
• Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
• Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
• Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is animal control worker a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 10% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Washington $66,440
• Oregon $66,130
• Alaska $63,340
• California $62,630
• Massachusetts $60,930

Animal Control Workers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.