Animal officers investigate animal abuse or neglect.
When allegations of animal abuse or neglect occur, an animal officer investigates. An animal officer also protects the public by collecting loose or dangerous animals and placing them in shelters. She may issue citations for violations ranging from animal welfare regulations to leash laws. An animal officer is also known as an animal control officer or animal control worker. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2008 Occupational Employment Statistics Survey Program, an animal control officer earned an average of $31,990. Animal control workers can be mostly found in social advocacy organizations, according to the BLS. If you care for animals and are interested in the law, then consider a career as an animal officer.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Get a high school diploma. A high school diploma or its equivalent, a GED, is the minimum educational requirement for an entry-level animal officer position, according to the BLS.
2. Get experience with animals. Employers seek job candidates who have experience with animals, according to the BLS. Consider volunteering at animal shelters in order to gain experience.
3. Get special training. Though a high school diploma and experience with animals are the minimum an employer seeks from a job candidate, you can get an edge over the competition by completing training programs offered by the Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Association and the National Animal Control Association (NACA), according to the BLS. For example, the NACA offers three levels of training academy programs that last for a few days, as well as specialized workshops, such as Euthanasia Certification and Pepper Spray Certification.
4. Receive on-the-job training. Upon hire, animal officers may receive training in the safe and humane ways to handle animals, as well as law enforcement, according to the BLS.
Tags: animal officer, experience with, experience with animals, high school, high school diploma