About This Career

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

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security cluster Law Enforcement Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Investigates reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
• Captures and removes stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
• Supplies animals with food, water, and personal care.
• Writes reports of activities, and maintains files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
• Prepares for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and gives evidence in court.
• Examines animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arranges for any necessary medical treatment.
• Contacts animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
• Educates the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
• Cleans facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.
• Removes captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and places animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel