Animal Control Officers Must Be Educated To Work In L.A.
Thanks to dogmatic efforts by animal rights groups to better prevent cruelty to all animals, the era of the stereotypical dog catcher is over. Skilled animal control officers now roam neighborhoods, parks and recreational areas to help protect a community's population of pets and predatory wildlife.
Throughout greater Los Angeles, it is common to see such scavengers as opossums, raccoons and skunks sneak in and out of backyards. Due to urban sprawl, many homeowners have encountered bears, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions and seals as the animals ventured near or onto property. Reminding the public that these mammals remain integral contributors to a sustainable ecosystem is an educational process learned animal control officers take seriously.
California remains the nation's highest-paying state for trained animal control officers. In L.A., these professionals earn an average annual salary greater than $50,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of them are hired by city and county agencies to enforce laws concerning the care and treatment of animals. Officers respond to calls often about stray, abandoned or deceased animals, while investigating suspicions of animal abuse.
Although an entry-level position requires a high school diploma, a growing number of governmental entities now expect striving officers to pursue an undergraduate degree in animal science, veterinary science or law enforcement. Earning a certificate in animal training and behavior or wildlife rehabilitation also helps to secure sound employment.
Covering more than 3,400 square miles of cities, beaches, deserts and mountains, the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control is one of the largest agencies in the country. It offers emergency rescue and adoption services, and an opportunity for aspiring officers to receive further on-the-job training. To qualify for an officer's position at any of its six centers, certified applicants must have at least six months of paid experience working with domestic animals in a veterinary hospital or clinical setting.
With dozens of job classifications at this hub alone, newly-minted animal control officers are able to strengthen their skill sets by assuming available posts in administration, shelter operations and enforcement, medical and information technology services.
Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.
