Occupation Details
Animal Control Workers
Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$37,360.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$47,730.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$61,310.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
830
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,000
+17 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
93
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
School Programs information is not available for this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
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.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Animal cages
- Animal capture nets
- Animal catch poles
- Animal control shotguns
- Bat excluders
- Blowguns
- Cable winches
- Cat crates
- Compact digital cameras
- Crimping pliers
- Dog muzzles
- Electro muscular disruption devices EMDD
- Leashes
- Microchip readers
- Mobile radios
- Noose poles
- Personal computers
- Power lifts
- Snake hooks
- Snake tongs
- Tranquilizer guns
- Veterinary stethoscopes
- Wildlife cameras
Technology
- CISCO Software ACS Animal Control System
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- RoseRush Services Shelter Pro
- SAP business and customer relations management software
- TRAX Animal Control and Dog Warden Officer Software
- Web browser software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- conduct training for personnel
- maintain records, reports, or files
- prepare reports
- perform animal euthanasia
- examine animals to detect illness, disease, or injury
- feed or water animals
- conduct legal searches or investigations
- investigate complaints, disturbances, or violations
- recognize disease or parasites in animals
- recognize public safety hazards
- use interviewing procedures
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use first aid procedures
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- capture animals for control, identification, relocation, sale or humane purposes
- handle animals
- communicate details in protective services settings
- serve or issue summonses or subpoenas
- operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
- read maps
- examine permits or licenses to ensure compliance with requirements
- enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
- issue citation or warning for violation of laws
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.