Additional Information
Most animal control officers start off with little more than
a high school education. Some colleges and universities offer veterinary and
animal health technology programs, but the more specific training takes place
after hiring.
Associations like the Humane Society, the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the National Animal Control Association offer
comprehensive programs to working ACOs.
These cover everything from the courts and law enforcement techniques to
administering controlled drugs and investigating animal cruelty.
"As always, strive for the most education you can get," advises Allan Beckingham,
who also works with the SPCA. "We have veterinarians, university professors
and law enforcement personnel on our team at the SPCA."
But animal control officer Jen Holz says you won't learn most of the skills
until you use them out in the field.
"Animal control isn't something you can learn in the classroom," she says.
"It's a lot of on-the-job training, stuff you can't learn until you do it.
Then you'll find out you either have a knack for it or you don't. It can't
just be taught."