Animal control workers handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.

  • Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
  • 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.
  • Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
  • Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.
  • Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
  • Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.
  • Examine animal licenses, and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.
  • Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals.
  • Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
  • Organize the adoption of unclaimed animals.
  • Train police officers in dog handling and training techniques for tracking, crowd control, and narcotics and bomb detection.
Work Context
  • Telephone — 88% responded "Every day".
  • Deal With External Customers — 86% responded "Extremely important".
  • In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — 94% responded "Every day".
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 94% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 83% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 84% responded "Extremely important".
  • Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 68% responded "Every day".
  • Read More
Work Activities
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.
  • Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
  • Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
  • Use weapons or physical force to maintain security.
  • Provide care for animals.
  • Check physical condition of people or animals.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Read More

Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Read More

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Project management software
  • Microsoft SharePoint Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
Operating system software
  • Microsoft Windows Hot Technology
Read More