Animal Control Officers And The Benefits They Offer To The Community

Animal control officers have had a bad reputation for a long time, yet the National
Animal Control Association, all of its affiliates, and non-affiliated control authorities across the country have been making outstanding strides for the humane treatment and protection of pets and strays. This area of law enforcement and humanitarianism participates in the education and safety for both the humans and animals of the community. They offer animal pick up, shelter services, adoptions, spay and neuter services for strays, abuse investigations and necessary euthanasia.

Out in the field, animal control officers respond to calls of pet owners voluntarily handing over their pets temporarily or permanently because they can no longer care for them. Of course pet owners can drop off their pets with their local shelter as well. However, quite often these officers respond to calls neighbors, family members and friends of neglectful and abusive pet owners.

Depending upon the community in which the animal control officers serve, they can be selected police officers for this assignment, or a part of a special department for the protection of animal related cases. These cases include bites, reports of animals with rabies, and reports of abuse. The abuse can include, but is definitely not limited to insufficient water, food, or shelter. It can also include everything from unsanitary living conditions to physical violence against their own pets. In these situations warrants may be obtained for home entry or police officers may be asked to be present to aid in the carrying out of investigations and law enforcement.

These officers also do uplifting work in the community to educate pet owners and their neighbors about proper animal care and adoption options. Caring for a domesticated animal is for the duration of their lives and these officers focus on the community awareness on a daily basis. They are also on the phones, in the shelters and in the fields for human protection as well. Some stray animals can also present a health risk for the humans who share space with them near restaurants or residential areas. And if they are dangerous animals, a bite or scratch can mean more dangerous repercussions than pain if the animal is not caught quickly after to determine its infection or disease.

Animal control officers provide a service for the humans and animals alike in all communities they serve. With a variety of career areas of focus, these officers have the diversity, flexibility, fulfillment, as well as the success of quality accomplishments all in a day’s work.