◈ EMPLOYMENT · PROTECTIVE_SERVICES · 33-9011.00
Animal Control Workers
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · PROTECTIVE_SERVICES 33-9011.00 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Animal Control Workers
Animal Control Workers serve as frontline public safety professionals who handle animal-related incidents, investigate mistreatment cases, and enforce animal welfare laws. They capture and impound stray, dangerous, or abandoned animals while educating communities about animal safety regulations. These workers bridge law enforcement and animal care, requiring both compassionate animal handling skills and the ability to issue citations for violations.
12,070
National Employment
$45,660
Median Annual Wage
JZ 2
Job Zone
Federal, State, and Local
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Animal Caretakers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Fish and Game Wardens
Primary-Short
onet declared
Animal Trainers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Primary-Long
skill overlap
Animal Caretakers
Both roles share animal care activities and require knowledge of animal behavior and welfare.
riasec cluster
Fish and Game Wardens
Both are Realistic-oriented protective service roles requiring law enforcement knowledge and outdoor work.
knowledge overlap
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Both require Public Safety and Security knowledge and the ability to issue citations and warnings.
task similarity
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Both roles involve direct animal care including feeding, cleaning, and basic health monitoring.
§ Feeder Roles
Animal Caretakers
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Animal Trainers
§ Destinations
Fish and Game Wardens
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Agricultural Inspectors
§ RIASEC Peers
Fish and Game Wardens
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Agricultural Inspectors
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

Animal control workers begin their shifts by checking equipment and reviewing service calls from the public about loose or dangerous animals. They drive specialized vehicles to respond to complaints, capture stray animals using humane restraint techniques, and transport them to shelter facilities. Throughout the day, they document each incident in detailed reports, inspect animal licenses and facilities for compliance, and communicate with pet owners about reclaiming impounded animals. They also provide basic care like feeding and watering shelter animals, clean facilities and equipment, and may testify in court when citations are contested.

Who Thrives

Successful animal control workers combine physical stamina with emotional resilience, as the role involves both outdoor fieldwork and potentially distressing animal welfare cases. They excel at reading both animal behavior and human situations, using strong communication skills to de-escalate conflicts between neighbors or educate pet owners about regulations. Detail-oriented individuals who can maintain accurate records while working independently in the field perform best. Those who thrive demonstrate high dependability and integrity, managing stress effectively when dealing with aggressive animals, upset pet owners, or cases of animal cruelty.

Automation Outlook

Animal control work has low automation risk due to its reliance on human judgment for assessing animal behavior, public interaction, and complex field situations. The core activities of capturing animals, investigating complaints, and educating the public require empathy, situational awareness, and physical dexterity that technology cannot easily replicate. While administrative tasks like record-keeping may become more automated, the hands-on nature of animal handling and community engagement will continue to require human workers.

Emerging Tasks
New   Deliver educational presentations on wildlife topics, such as animal safety, at schools and community events. 08/2025
New   Pick up deceased animals from roadways and dispose of the animal carcasses. 08/2025
New   Testify at court hearings when citations are contested. 08/2025
New   Transport injured or ill wildlife to rescues. 08/2025
Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
The field employs 12,070 workers nationally with a median annual wage of $45,660 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, ranging from $33,090 to $68,070 for the 10th to 90th percentiles. Washington state offers the highest wages at $66,440, nearly double Arkansas's $34,410, reflecting significant regional variation. Most positions (11,170) are in government agencies, with a smaller private sector presence. Job security is strong as communities require these essential public safety services regardless of economic conditions.
$33,090
10th
$37,750
25th
$45,660
Median
$57,060
75th
$68,070
90th
Highest Paying State
Washington
$66,440 median
Geographic Dispersion
1.931x
highest / lowest median
Federal, State, and Local Government, excludi 11,170 emp $45,620
Other Services (except Public Administration) 660 emp $47,010
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
Active Listening 3.8
Speaking 3.6
Critical Thinking 3.5
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Writing 3.0
Monitoring 3.0
Active Learning 2.9
Learning Strategies 2.8
Mathematics 2.0
Science 1.1
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Public Safety and Security 4.5
Law and Government 4.5
English Language 4.2
Customer and Personal Service 4.2
Administrative 3.6
Education and Training 3.3
Biology 3.1
Telecommunications 3.1
Communications and Media 3.1
Transportation 3.1
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
5.93
TOP FIT
I
Investigative
3.59
TOP FIT
A
Artistic
1.00
S
Social
2.63
E
Enterprising
2.17
C
Conventional
3.89
TOP FIT
§ Who Thrives
Successful animal control workers combine physical stamina with emotional resilience, as the role involves both outdoor fieldwork and potentially distressing animal welfare cases. They excel at reading both animal behavior and human situations, using strong communication skills to de-escalate conflicts between neighbors or educate pet owners about regulations. Detail-oriented individuals who can maintain accurate records while working independently in the field perform best. Those who thrive demonstrate high dependability and integrity, managing stress effectively when dealing with aggressive animals, upset pet owners, or cases of animal cruelty.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
Core 26% of incumbents
Maintain operational records.Write operational reports.
Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
Core 26% of incumbents
Issue warnings or citations.
Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
Core 26% of incumbents
Inform the public about policies, servic
Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
Core 26% of incumbents
Provide care for animals.
Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
Core 26% of incumbents
Inform the public about policies, servic
Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.
Core 26% of incumbents
Provide care for animals.
Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.
Core 26% of incumbents
Collaborate with law enforcement or secuIssue warnings or citations.
Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.
Core 26% of incumbents
Clean facilities or equipment.
Organize the adoption of unclaimed animals.
Core 26% of incumbents
Provide care for animals.
Examine animal licenses, and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.
Core 26% of incumbents
Inspect facilities to ensure compliance Examine personal documentation to ensure
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
Animal Shelter Manager
Data base user interface and query softw
ARK Software Ark Shelter Software
Data base user interface and query softw
CISCO Software ACS Animal Control System
Data base user interface and query softw
Esri ArcGIS
Geographic information system
Geographic information system GIS software
Geographic information system
Geographic information system GIS systems
Geographic information system
Microsoft Access
Data base user interface and query softw
HOT
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
HOTIN DEMAND
Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
HOTIN DEMAND
Microsoft Outlook
Electronic mail software
HOT
Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation software
HOT
Microsoft SharePoint
Document management software
HOT
Microsoft Visio
Process mapping and design software
HOT
Microsoft Windows
Operating system software
HOT
Microsoft Word
Word processing software
HOT
Multiple Options Animal Shelter Management System
Data base user interface and query softw
RescueConnection Software ShelterConntection
Data base user interface and query softw
RoseRush Services Shelter Pro
Data base user interface and query softw
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little trainin
Most animal control positions require only a high school diploma, with 65.4% of workers entering with this education level according to O*NET data. Many employers provide on-the-job training in animal handling techniques, local ordinances, and safety protocols. Post-secondary certificates in animal sciences, law enforcement, or related fields can provide an advantage, with 19.2% of workers holding such credentials.
Animal control workers can advance to supervisory positions within municipal animal services departments or transition into specialized roles like animal cruelty investigators. Some pursue additional education to become veterinary technicians, fish and game wardens, or police officers, leveraging their law enforcement and animal handling experience. Leadership roles may involve program management, policy development, or training new officers in animal control procedures.
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for 65.4%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for trai 19.2%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) 11.5%
Bachelor's Degree 3.9%
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Animal Control Workers job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Protective Services Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
animal tendency others control season equipment animals principles series activities public techniques includes objects procedures services production human physical ideas
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
animal 61 0.0185
inference 38% wikipedia 34%
tendency 42 0.0127
onet dimensi 100%
others 39 0.0118
onet dimensi 97% wikipedia 3%
control 37 0.0112
wikipedia 35% onet dimensi 32%
season 35 0.0106
wikipedia 100%
equipment 27 0.0082
onet dimensi 85% inference 7%
animals 25 0.0076
onet tasks 40% inference 28%
principles 16 0.0049
onet dimensi 100%
series 15 0.0046
wikipedia 100%
activities 14 0.0042
onet dimensi 64% dwas 14%
public 13 0.0039
inference 38% onet dimensi 31%
techniques 13 0.0039
onet dimensi 77% inference 15%
includes 12 0.0036
onet dimensi 100%
objects 12 0.0036
onet dimensi 100%
procedures 11 0.0033
onet dimensi 73% dwas 18%
services 11 0.0033
onet dimensi 55% dwas 18%
production 11 0.0033
onet dimensi 73% wikipedia 27%
human 11 0.0033
onet dimensi 64% inference 27%
physical 11 0.0033
onet dimensi 55% dwas 18%
ideas 11 0.0033
onet dimensi 100%
care 10 0.0030
dwas 50% onet dimensi 20%
handling 10 0.0030
onet dimensi 50% inference 40%
materials 10 0.0030
onet dimensi 100%
body 10 0.0030
onet dimensi 100%
fox 10 0.0030
wikipedia 100%
frank 10 0.0030
wikipedia 100%
events 9 0.0027
onet dimensi 89% onet tasks 11%
problems 9 0.0027
onet dimensi 100%
resources 9 0.0027
onet dimensi 100%
quickly 9 0.0027
onet dimensi 100%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Animal Control Workers
33-9011.00 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
How many animal control workers are employed in the United States and what is their median annual wage?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, there are 12,070 animal control workers employed nationally with a median annual wage of $45,660.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025
What education level do most animal control workers have when entering the field?
According to O*NET data, 65.4% of animal control workers enter the field with a high school diploma or GED equivalent, with 19.2% holding post-secondary certificates.
factual O*NET Education Distribution
Which state offers the highest median wage for animal control workers and what is the salary range nationally?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, Washington state offers the highest median wage at $66,440, while the national range spans from $33,090 (10th percentile) to $68,070 (90th percentile).
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025
What is the primary employment sector for animal control workers?
According to BLS data, the majority of animal control workers are employed in Federal, State, and Local Government agencies, with additional positions in Other Services sectors.
market_intel BLS Industry Distribution
What combination of skills is most critical for success as an animal control worker?
According to O*NET data, active listening (3.8), speaking (3.6), and critical thinking (3.5) are the top required skills, combined with problem sensitivity and oral expression abilities needed for field safety and public interaction.
career_advice O*NET Skills Profile
What personal qualities should someone develop before pursuing an animal control career?
According to O*NET work styles data, dependability (4.0) and integrity (3.0) are essential, along with stress tolerance and self-control to handle emotionally difficult situations involving animal welfare.
career_advice O*NET Work Styles
How do animal control workers compare to fish and game wardens in terms of career pathway?
According to O*NET relatedness data, Fish and Game Wardens (33-3031.00) are classified as Primary-Short related occupations, representing a natural career progression from animal control, requiring similar enforcement and field skills but often with specialized wildlife expertise.
comparative O*NET Related Occupations
What software and technology systems do modern animal control workers use daily?
According to O*NET data, animal control workers use specialized systems including CISCO ACS Animal Control System, ARK Shelter Management Software, Microsoft Office tools, and Esri ArcGIS for mapping and incident tracking.
comparative O*NET Software Tools
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 33-9011.00 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/33-9011-animal_control_workers
Boise Standard — Employment Intelligence
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Boise Standard · The Standard of Information · boisestandard.org ↗
Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 33-9011.00 · Animal Control Workers 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '33-9011.00'), ('soc_code', '33-9011'), ('title', 'Animal Control Workers'), ('vertical', 'protective_services'), ('job_zone', '2'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For e'), ('description', 'Handle animals for the purpose of investigations of mistreatment, or control of abandoned, dangerous, or unattended animals.'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (16 tasks, 4 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[Core] [26% incumbents] Write reports of activities, and maintain files of impoundments and dispositions of animals.
  DWAs: Maintain operational records. | Write operational reports.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Contact animal owners to inform them that their pets are at animal holding facilities.
  DWAs: Issue warnings or citations.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Educate the public about animal welfare, and animal control laws and regulations.
  DWAs: Inform the public about policies, services or procedures.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Remove captured animals from animal-control service vehicles and place animals in shelter cages or other enclosures.
  DWAs: Provide care for animals.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Answer inquiries from the public concerning animal control operations.
  DWAs: Inform the public about policies, services or procedures.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Supply animals with food, water, and personal care.
  DWAs: Provide care for animals.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Issue warnings or citations in connection with animal-related offenses, or contact police to report violations and request arrests.
  DWAs: Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents. | Issue warnings or citations.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Clean facilities and equipment such as dog pens and animal control trucks.
  DWAs: Clean facilities or equipment.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Organize the adoption of unclaimed animals.
  DWAs: Provide care for animals.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Examine animal licenses, and inspect establishments housing animals for compliance with laws.
  DWAs: Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations. | Examine personal documentation to ensure that it is valid.

[Core] [25% incumbents] Investigate reports of animal attacks or animal cruelty, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and writing reports.
  DWAs: Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence. | Investigate illegal or suspicious activities. | Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.

[Core] [25% incumbents] Examine animals for injuries or malnutrition, and arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
  DWAs: Check physical condition of people or animals.

[Core] [25% incumbents] Capture and remove stray, uncontrolled, or abused animals from undesirable conditions, using nets, nooses, or tranquilizer darts as necessary.
  DWAs: Use weapons or physical force to maintain security. | Provide care for animals.

[Core] [25% incumbents] Prepare for prosecutions related to animal treatment, and give evidence in court.
  DWAs: Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.

[Core] [25% incumbents] Euthanize rabid, unclaimed, or severely injured animals.
  DWAs: Provide care for animals.

[Supplemental] [25% incumbents] Train police officers in dog handling and training techniques for tracking, crowd control, and narcotics and bomb detection.
  DWAs: Train personnel to enhance job skills. | Train personnel.

[EMERGING:New] Deliver educational presentations on wildlife topics, such as animal safety, at schools and community events.

[EMERGING:New] Pick up deceased animals from roadways and dispose of the animal carcasses.

[EMERGING:New] Testify at court hearings when citations are contested.

[EMERGING:New] Transport injured or ill wildlife to rescues.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:3.75 lvl:3.25) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:3.62 lvl:3.12) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.50 lvl:3.50) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Monitoring (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Active Learning (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Mathematics (imp:2.00 lvl:1.00) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Science (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Public Safety and Security (imp:4.52 lvl:4.58) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Law and Government (imp:4.46 lvl:4.44) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  English Language (imp:4.25 lvl:4.00) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:4.23 lvl:5.65) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Administrative (imp:3.64 lvl:4.35) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Education and Training (imp:3.28 lvl:3.71) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Biology (imp:3.08 lvl:3.42) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Telecommunications (imp:3.08 lvl:2.27) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Communications and Media (imp:3.08 lvl:3.23) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Transportation (imp:3.08 lvl:2.92) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Computers and Electronics (imp:3.04 lvl:3.65) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Administration and Management (imp:2.96 lvl:3.35) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Geography (imp:2.96 lvl:2.84) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Psychology (imp:2.84 lvl:3.19) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:2.69 lvl:2.58) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.46 lvl:2.50) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Mathematics (imp:2.46 lvl:2.40) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:2.31 lvl:2.23) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Chemistry (imp:2.23 lvl:2.69) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:2.23 lvl:2.19) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Foreign Language (imp:2.19 lvl:2.08) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Physics (imp:1.92 lvl:1.42) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.85 lvl:1.73) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.85 lvl:2.00) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Mechanical (imp:1.81 lvl:1.50) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.80 lvl:1.42) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Engineering and Technology (imp:1.58 lvl:1.12) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Production and Processing (imp:1.52 lvl:1.08) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Design (imp:1.35 lvl:0.69) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Building and Construction (imp:1.31 lvl:0.62) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  History and Archeology (imp:1.31 lvl:0.54) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Fine Arts (imp:1.20 lvl:0.20) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform
  Food Production (imp:1.15 lvl:0.27) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Expression (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:4.00 lvl:3.88) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Oral Comprehension (imp:3.88 lvl:3.88) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.62 lvl:3.12) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.25 lvl:3.75) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:3.38) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Written Expression (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Information Ordering (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Selective Attention (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Manual Dexterity (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Static Strength (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Near Vision (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Far Vision (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Time Sharing (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Trunk Strength (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Originality (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Control Precision (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.50 lvl:2.62) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Spatial Orientation (imp:2.25 lvl:1.88) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Depth Perception (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Perceptual Speed (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Stamina (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.12 lvl:2.62) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:2.00 lvl:1.50) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Memorization (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Visualization (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Response Orientation (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Rate Control (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Reaction Time (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:2.00 lvl:1.25) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Explosive Strength (imp:2.00 lvl:1.25) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Night Vision (imp:2.00 lvl:1.25) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Sound Localization (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:1.88 lvl:1.00) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.72 lvl:5.23) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:4.58 lvl:4.73) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:4.56 lvl:5.19) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:4.54 lvl:5.19) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.42 lvl:4.77) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:4.38 lvl:3.88) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Getting Information (imp:4.31 lvl:4.65) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:4.27 lvl:4.96) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Processing Information (imp:4.15 lvl:4.42) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:4.15 lvl:4.85) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:4.08 lvl:5.12) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:4.04 lvl:5.19) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:4.00 lvl:4.42) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:4.00 lvl:4.35) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:3.96 lvl:5.23) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:3.92 lvl:4.73) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:3.76 lvl:4.04) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.73 lvl:4.23) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Working with Computers (imp:3.73 lvl:3.50) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.73 lvl:4.12) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.68 lvl:4.15) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:3.62 lvl:3.88) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:3.54 lvl:3.46) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.54 lvl:4.12) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:3.48 lvl:4.35) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:3.46 lvl:4.04) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.44 lvl:3.54) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.42 lvl:3.42) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.36 lvl:3.96) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.35 lvl:4.04) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.32 lvl:3.73) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.20 lvl:3.81) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:3.19 lvl:3.46) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:3.00 lvl:3.31) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:2.68 lvl:2.85) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:2.46 lvl:2.58) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:2.33 lvl:2.28) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:2.19 lvl:2.35) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.88 lvl:1.50) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:1.77 lvl:1.04) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:4.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Integrity (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Dependability (imp:2.41) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Stress Tolerance (imp:2.36) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control (imp:2.18) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Integrity (imp:2.10) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Self-Control (imp:2.00) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Perseverance (imp:1.94) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Cooperation (imp:1.77) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Empathy (imp:1.71) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cautiousness (imp:1.69) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Adaptability (imp:1.61) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Sincerity (imp:1.44) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.35) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:1.26) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative (imp:1.26) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Social Orientation (imp:1.15) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:0.98) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Optimism (imp:0.95) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Humility (imp:0.90) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:0.89) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.45) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Innovation (imp:0.09) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail () — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Coordination (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Service Orientation (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Time Management (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Persuasion (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Negotiation (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Instructing (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Operations Monitoring (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Operation and Control (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:1.75 lvl:1.00) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.75 lvl:0.75) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.62 lvl:0.62) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Troubleshooting (imp:1.25 lvl:0.38) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Technology Design (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Programming (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.00) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.00) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Repairing (imp:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 12,070 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 12,070
  annual_median    : $45,660
  annual_pct10     : $33,090
  annual_pct25     : $37,750
  annual_pct75     : $57,060
  annual_pct90     : $68,070
  annual_mean      : $48,440
  hourly_median    : $21.95

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Washington ($66,440)
  lowest_state     : Arkansas ($34,410)
  dispersion_ratio : 1.931x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (44 total) ---
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:   11,170  median: $  45,620
  Other Services (except Public Administration) emp:      660  median: $  47,010

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (2 total) ---
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:   11,170  median: $  45,620
  Other Services (except Public Administration) emp:      660  median: $  47,010
Wikipedia — Animal Control (TV series) (954 words) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Control_(TV_series) ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Animal Control (TV series)
match_score        : 0.7500
wikidata_qid       : Q116233107
word_count         : 954
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Control_(TV_series)
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T22:00:03.041749Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
Animal Control is an American television sitcom created by Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg and Dan Sterling that premiered on Fox on February 16, 2023, and produced by Roughhouse Productions, Middletown News, Wow a Fox, Fox Entertainment Studios. In May 2023, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on March 6, 2024. In February 2024, ahead of the second season premiere, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on January 2, 2025. In May 2025, the series was renewed for a fourth season which premiered on December 28, 2025. In February 2026, the series was renewed for a fifth season.


== Premise ==
The show follows a group of municipal animal control workers in Seattle.


== Cast ==


=== Main ===
Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, a bitter and cynical Senior Animal Control Officer. He was a cop who was fired from the force after discovering evidence of corruption in his precinct. He is sarcastic and quick-witted, prone to making caustic remarks about his co-workers. Later episodes reveal that much of his behavior is bravado and he is actually very depressed and self-conscious.
Vella Lovell as Emily Price, the good-natured director at the A.C. Northwest precinct. She can be anxious and often awkward in social situations. She is chipper and spunky and surprisingly competitive, butting heads with Templeton when he makes comments about wanting her job. She also displays a creative side, such as when she dresses up the animals for photoshoots to post on social media.
Michael Rowland as Fred "Shred" Taylor, Frank's partner. An idealistic and naive Animal Control officer and a former professional snowboarder. His idealism causes him to deflect the negativity that his precinct often dishes out.
Ravi V. Patel as Amit Patel, one of the Animal Control officers of Frank's precinct and Victoria's partner. He is pessimistic and frequently overwhelmed by his large family. When he is away from his family he tends to become absorbed in reckless or childish activities.
Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands, a street-smart Animal Control officer from New Zealand and Amit's partner. She has a laid-back personality, frequently indulging in various drugs and casual sex. She and Frank have an ongoing prank war that borders on flirtation.


=== Recurring ===
Gerry Dee as Templeton Dudge, a mean-spirited Animal Control Officer from the Central Precinct.
Kelli Ogmundson as Dolores Stubb (season 1), the self-righteous receptionist of Frank's precinct.
Alvina August as Dr. Colette Summers (season 1), an attractive veterinarian in Frank's precinct. She is often targeted as a lust object by the officers.
Amy Goodmurphy as AM Dispatch
Kevin Bigley as Rick Doyle, the previous director of the A.C. precinct and Frank's former partner.
Krystal Smith as Bettany (season 2–present), Emily's new assistant.
Chelsea Frei as Isabelle (season 2–present), a free-spirit and Shred's girlfriend.
Lucy Punch as Fiona Holcomb (season 3), a philanthropist who helps Emily promote the precinct.
Josh Segarra as Parker (season 3–present), a squatter who becomes friends with the animal control team.
Kyla Pratt as Daisy Cannon (season 4), Templeton's partner.


=== Guest ===
María Gabriela de Faría as Camila (season 1), Shred's long-distance girlfriend who lives in Austria.
Kalyn Miles as Maya Patel, Amit's wife.
Dayah Brar as Addy Patel, Amit's daughter. She is very sassy and he finds her difficult to control.
Tristan D. Lalla as Jack, a vet tech working with Dr. Summers. He has a very no-nonsense personality and seems exhausted by how self-centered the patrol officers are.
John Procaccino as Jimmy Shaw, Frank's cantankerous father with whom he has a contentious relationship.
Ken Jeong as Lee Park (seasons 2–4), a well-respected dog whisperer
Sarah Chalke as Yazmin (seasons 2–3), Frank's ex-girlfriend.
Thomas Lennon as Patrick Shaw (season 2–present), Frank's older brother. He is a police officer.
Maz Jobrani as Lucas (season 2)
Larry Joe Campbell as Carl (season 2–present)
Rob Gronkowski as himself (season 3-4)


== Episodes ==


=== Series overview ===


=== Season 1 (2023) ===


=== Season 2 (2024) ===


=== Season 3 (2025) ===


=== Season 4 (2025–26) ===


== Production ==
In July 2022, it was announced Fox had given a straight-to-series order to Animal Control from  Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg, Dan Sterling and Fox Entertainment, marking Fox Entertainment Studios' first fully owned live-action comedy. In October of that year, Joel McHale joined the series as the lead and executive producer. Vella Lovell and Ravi Patel joined the cast later that same month.  Most portions of Animal Control are filmed in and around Vancouver from October 31, 2022 to January 25, 2023.
In May 2023, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on March 6, 2024. In February 2024, ahead the second season premiere, Fox renewed the series for a third season. Filming for the third season began on June 17, 2024 and concluded on August 20, 2024. The third season premiered on Fox on January 2, 2025. On May 7, 2025, Fox renewed the series for a fourth season. Filming for the fourth season began on August 25, 2025 and is scheduled to conclude on November 7, 2025. The fourth season premiered on December 28, 2025. On February 26, 2026, Fox renewed the series for a fifth season.


== Reception ==


=== Critical response ===
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 60% approval rating for the first season with an average rating of 6/10, based on ten critic reviews. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100 based on seven critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".


=== Ratings ===


==== Overall ====


==== Season 1 ====


==== Season 2 ====


==== Season 3 ====


== References ==


== External links ==

Official website
Animal Control at IMDb

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Shaun the Sheep Movie (similarity: 0.1860)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_the_Sheep_Movie
  QID: Q15545272
  Extract: Shaun the Sheep Movie is a 2015 stop motion animated comedy film written and directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak. It is based on the British television series Shaun the Sheep by Nick Park and Bob Baker, in turn a spin-off of the short film A Close Shave (1995). Starring the voices of Justin 

  Title: Working animal (similarity: 0.3333)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_animal
  QID: Q228534
  Extract: A working animal is an animal, usually domesticated, that is kept by humans and trained to perform tasks. Some are used for their physical strength or for transportation, while others are service animals trained to execute certain specialized tasks. They may also be used for milking or herding. Some

  Title: Intensive animal farming (similarity: 0.3478)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensive_animal_farming
  QID: Q912362
  Extract: Intensive animal farming, industrial livestock production, and macro-farms, also known as factory farming, is a type of intensive agriculture used by the meat and dairy industry to maximize animal production while minimizing costs. To achieve this, agribusinesses keep livestock such as cattle, poult

  Title: The Possum (similarity: 0.0625)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Possum
  QID: Q7757845
  Extract: "The Possum" is the 18th episode of the second season of the American comedy television series Parks and Recreation, and the 24th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 11, 2010. In the episode, Leslie forms a task force to capture an opossum that bit

  Title: Miami Animal Police (similarity: 0.4878)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Animal_Police
  QID: Q6827265
  Extract: Miami Animal Police is an American documentary reality television series that premiered on January 5, 2004, on Animal Planet. Produced by Lion Television, the program is set in Miami, Florida and the surrounding Miami-Dade County. It depicts the everyday duties of Miami-Dade Police Department Animal
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0454 inferred_at: 2026-06-03T20:40:25 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong confidence based on comprehensive O*NET data including detailed work activities, skills, and knowledge requirements. BLS wage data provides reliable market intelligence. Limited by lack of occupational Wikipedia content.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T20:40:25.334466+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,784
tokens_output        : 4,167
cost_usd             : $0.045408
wikipedia_used       : False
wikipedia_title      : Animal Control (TV series)
wikipedia_note       : The Wikipedia match refers to a TV sitcom rather than the occupation itself. No direct occupational information was available from Wikipedia sources.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Animal Control Workers serve as frontline public safety professionals who handle animal-related incidents, investigate mistreatment cases, and enforce animal welfare laws. They capture and impound stray, dangerous, or abandoned animals while educating communities about animal safety regulations. These workers bridge law enforcement and animal care, requiring both compassionate animal handling skills and the ability to issue citations for violations.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
Animal control workers begin their shifts by checking equipment and reviewing service calls from the public about loose or dangerous animals. They drive specialized vehicles to respond to complaints, capture stray animals using humane restraint techniques, and transport them to shelter facilities. Throughout the day, they document each incident in detailed reports, inspect animal licenses and facilities for compliance, and communicate with pet owners about reclaiming impounded animals. They also provide basic care like feeding and watering shelter animals, clean facilities and equipment, and may testify in court when citations are contested.

WHO THRIVES:
Successful animal control workers combine physical stamina with emotional resilience, as the role involves both outdoor fieldwork and potentially distressing animal welfare cases. They excel at reading both animal behavior and human situations, using strong communication skills to de-escalate conflicts between neighbors or educate pet owners about regulations. Detail-oriented individuals who can maintain accurate records while working independently in the field perform best. Those who thrive demonstrate high dependability and integrity, managing stress effectively when dealing with aggressive animals, upset pet owners, or cases of animal cruelty.

CAREER ENTRY:
Most animal control positions require only a high school diploma, with 65.4% of workers entering with this education level according to O*NET data. Many employers provide on-the-job training in animal handling techniques, local ordinances, and safety protocols. Post-secondary certificates in animal sciences, law enforcement, or related fields can provide an advantage, with 19.2% of workers holding such credentials.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Animal control workers can advance to supervisory positions within municipal animal services departments or transition into specialized roles like animal cruelty investigators. Some pursue additional education to become veterinary technicians, fish and game wardens, or police officers, leveraging their law enforcement and animal handling experience. Leadership roles may involve program management, policy development, or training new officers in animal control procedures.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
The field employs 12,070 workers nationally with a median annual wage of $45,660 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, ranging from $33,090 to $68,070 for the 10th to 90th percentiles. Washington state offers the highest wages at $66,440, nearly double Arkansas's $34,410, reflecting significant regional variation. Most positions (11,170) are in government agencies, with a smaller private sector presence. Job security is strong as communities require these essential public safety services regardless of economic conditions.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Animal control work has low automation risk due to its reliance on human judgment for assessing animal behavior, public interaction, and complex field situations. The core activities of capturing animals, investigating complaints, and educating the public require empathy, situational awareness, and physical dexterity that technology cannot easily replicate. While administrative tasks like record-keeping may become more automated, the hands-on nature of animal handling and community engagement will continue to require human workers.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [skill_overlap] Animal Caretakers (39-2021.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share animal care activities and require knowledge of animal behavior and welfare.
    data: Provide care for animals DWA
    data: Customer and Personal Service knowledge
  [riasec_cluster] Fish and Game Wardens (33-3031.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both are Realistic-oriented protective service roles requiring law enforcement knowledge and outdoor work.
    data: RIASEC R:5.93
    data: Law and Government knowledge imp:4.5
  [knowledge_overlap] Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (33-3051.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both require Public Safety and Security knowledge and the ability to issue citations and warnings.
    data: Public Safety and Security knowledge imp:4.5
    data: Issue warnings or citations DWA
  [task_similarity] Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (31-9096.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles involve direct animal care including feeding, cleaning, and basic health monitoring.
    data: Supply animals with food, water, and personal care task
    data: Biology knowledge imp:3.1
  [job_zone] Security Guards (33-9032.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both are Job Zone 2 protective service positions requiring similar preparation levels and enforcement duties.
    data: Job Zone 2
    data: Making Decisions and Solving Problems activity imp:4.7
  [transferable_skill] Agricultural Inspectors (45-2011.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles require inspection skills and knowledge of regulations for compliance enforcement.
    data: Examine animal licenses and inspect establishments task
    data: Critical Thinking skill imp:3.5

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['animal control', 'animal officer', 'animal enforcement', 'animal services', 'animal cruelty', 'animal ordinance', 'animal safety', 'ACO']
  exclude_keywords : ['veterinary', 'zookeeper', 'wildlife biologist', 'pet groomer', 'trainer']
  title_patterns   : ['Animal Control Officer', 'Animal Enforcement Officer', 'Animal Services Officer', 'Animal Control Specialist', 'Animal Safety Officer']
  common_variations: ['ACO', 'Animal Control Worker', 'Animal Officer', 'Animal Cop', 'Animal Control Specialist', 'Animal Services Worker', 'Animal Enforcement', 'Animal Control Tech']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['animal', 'tendency', 'others', 'control', 'season', 'equipment', 'animals', 'principles', 'series', 'activities', 'public', 'techniques', 'includes', 'objects', 'procedures', 'services', 'production', 'human', 'physical', 'ideas']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
animal                     61  0.01850  inference            inference:38%  wikipedia:34%  onet_tasks:23%
tendency                   42  0.01274  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
others                     39  0.01183  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:97%  wikipedia:3%
control                    37  0.01122  wikipedia            wikipedia:35%  onet_dimensions:32%  inference:19%
season                     35  0.01062  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
equipment                  27  0.00819  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:85%  inference:7%  onet_tasks:4%
animals                    25  0.00758  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:40%  inference:28%  dwas:24%
principles                 16  0.00485  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
series                     15  0.00455  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
activities                 14  0.00425  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:64%  dwas:14%  onet_tasks:7%
public                     13  0.00394  inference            inference:38%  onet_dimensions:31%  onet_tasks:15%
techniques                 13  0.00394  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:77%  inference:15%  onet_tasks:8%
includes                   12  0.00364  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
objects                    12  0.00364  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
procedures                 11  0.00334  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:73%  dwas:18%  inference:9%
services                   11  0.00334  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:55%  dwas:18%  inference:18%
production                 11  0.00334  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:73%  wikipedia:27%
human                      11  0.00334  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:64%  inference:27%  wikipedia:9%
physical                   11  0.00334  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:55%  dwas:18%  inference:18%
ideas                      11  0.00334  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
care                       10  0.00303  dwas                 dwas:50%  onet_dimensions:20%  inference:20%
handling                   10  0.00303  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  inference:40%  onet_tasks:10%
materials                  10  0.00303  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
body                       10  0.00303  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
fox                        10  0.00303  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
frank                      10  0.00303  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
events                      9  0.00273  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  onet_tasks:11%
problems                    9  0.00273  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
resources                   9  0.00273  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
quickly                     9  0.00273  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
orientation                 9  0.00273  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
self                        9  0.00273  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  wikipedia:33%
precinct                    9  0.00273  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
facilities                  8  0.00243  inference            inference:38%  onet_tasks:25%  dwas:25%
personal                    8  0.00243  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  onet_tasks:12%  dwas:12%
needs                       8  0.00243  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
monitoring                  8  0.00243  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
rules                       8  0.00243  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
standards                   8  0.00243  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
management                  8  0.00243  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 33-9011.00 · built 2026-06-02 · Sources declared above are authoritative originals. This page synthesizes but does not replace them. Every claim traceable. Full provenance. Constitutional Law I.
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