What Does Animal Control Do?

When you think of animal control, what comes to mind? If the first image in your head is a big van coming around to collect stray dogs and take them to the pound, it might be time to rethink your opinion.

Although pet parents may not agree with every decision made by them, it’s animal control’s job to ensure people and animals are both safe when they’re called. Animal control functions play an important role in community safety and animal welfare, handling everything from stray animals and cruelty investigations to nuisance complaints and emergency rescues. They enforce local laws, promote responsible pet-care practices, and often manage animal shelters. Understanding their responsibilities helps ensure proper cooperation and support for a safer, more humane community.

The core mission of animal control

Each department of animal control has core missions and values, which may vary slightly based on issues faced by that location. But generally, this mission encompasses a few things.

Protecting public safety

When it comes to animal control duties, the priority is community safety. Often, that means things such as enforcing animal ordinances like leash laws, picking up sick or injured animals, and responding to calls about dangerous situations.

Ensuring animal welfare

Once animal control officers know the situation is safe for the community, they will work to protect the animals involved in any situation. They do this by picking up stray animals, responding to cruelty complaints, and enforcing animal welfare laws. This means things like rescuing pets in abusive situations and responding to overpopulation complaints for animal care and safety. In some municipalities, animal control even offers free rides home when animals are found with microchips or other ID and they can’t find their way home.

Outreach and education

Not every city or county has the resources for outreach, but when they do, animal control services can provide valuable educational experiences to the community. This department often provides rabies education and animal welfare education, and may provide low- or no-cost vaccination clinics. Some cities and counties even help provide free pet food for pet parents who can’t afford it, to help keep their pets out of the shelter.

Key animal control responsibilities

Now that we’ve talked about the basic mission of animal-control agencies, let’s break down animal control’s day-to-day duties.

• Responding to stray and lost animals: Whether you’re holding a sweet stray cat in your garage or saw a pair of pups roaming the neighborhood, animal control is on-call when stray pets need a ride to the shelter.

• Investigating animal cruelty and neglect: When animals are being mistreated, it’s not always safe for a civilian to handle the situation. If you know of, or suspect, a situation where animals are being abused or neglected, give animal control a call so they can handle the situation safely.

• Handling nuisance complaints: Sometimes, pet parents let nuisances such as barking or pet waste get out of hand. Rather than spark a debate with neighbors, sometimes it’s best to let law enforcement handle these situations.

• Responding to animal bites and aggressive animals: Never attempt to deal with an aggressive animal on your own. Animal control officers are trained and equipped with the right tools to safely handle aggressive animals and deal with bite-risk situations.

• Wildlife management and rescue: Not all animal control agencies handle wild animals, but many will respond to certain sick or injured wildlife on residential property (particularly if the situation presents a danger to humans or pets). Most will also respond to situations where a wild animal has entered a residence, or if there are concerns about rabies.

• Licensing and vaccination enforcement: Animal control ensures that pet parents follow licensing ordinances and regulations. This helps keep pets up-to-date on vaccinations and legal requirements for their pet’s and the community’s safety.

When to call animal control

Knowing when to call animal control helps protect animals and people. Whether you’ve spotted an injured or sick animal, or need help wrangling stray, it’s important to know when to call the pros.

Injured or sick animals

If you come across a stray pet who looks injured, it’s a good idea to call animal control. They’re equipped to safely contain and transport sick or injured animals, and get them the medical care they need. Typically, it’s best not to try this yourself, because you may worsen injuries or expose yourself to diseases the animal may have.

Suspected animal cruelty

If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, whether it’s physical abuse or neglect (such as leaving a pet outside without water or shelter), animal control can conduct an investigation. You don’t need to provide any proof to file a report — they work closely with law enforcement and local animal groups to make sure animals are safe.

Dangerous or aggressive animals

If you see an animal acting aggressively (such as charging, growling, or trying to bite) towards a person or another animal, you should always call animal control. They’re equipped to intervene at any time an animal poses a threat to public safety. Animal control officers are trained to handle these situations safely without escalating the risks.

Loose livestock or exotic animals

Neighbor’s cow grazing in your front yard? Or a suspiciously tropical-looking snake hanging out in your tree? You’d be surprised at the kind of calls animal-control officers receive each day. Officers can help contain exotic animals or livestock and get them home safely.

Removal of roadkill or dead animals

Any pet parent is sad to see a dead animal on a street or sidewalk. In some areas, animal control handles removal, and in others, it’s the public-works department. Check with your local government to find out whom to call if you come across a dead animal, but never try to remove them yourself.

When not to call animal control (and what to do instead)

The role of animal control is critical in keeping communities safe (pets and people included), but they’re not the right contact for every animal-related concern. In some situations, other agencies or simple, personal action can resolve the issue more effectively. Here are some tips for knowing when to try something else first. Before reaching out to animal control, ask yourself the following.

• Is this an emergency? If the animal isn’t hurt, dangerous, or in immediate distress, other solutions may be better.

• Can the situation be resolved safely on your own? For example, helping a friendly lost pet with a tag or microchip get home can typically be done safely on your own. Some agencies require you to attempt to find the animal’s parents before they’ll pick them up, so it may be helpful to make lost pet posters or post about the animal on local social media groups.

• Is this a wildlife issue? Many animal control departments don’t handle healthy wild animals. If a raccoon is getting into your trash or a snake is hiding in your garden, you’ll likely need to find another solution.

So, what else can you do? Here’s how to handle a few situations that may not require animal control intervention.

• Lost pets with ID tags or microchips: If you can, call the number on a lost pet’s tag, or swing by a vet’s office to scan for a microchip. You may be able to locate the pet’s parent on your own, freeing up animal control to deal with more serious issues. If you can’t find the pet’s parent, you can surrender them to a local shelter or rescue.

• Wildlife in your yard: For injured wild animals, you may be able to contact a local rehabber or your state’s wildlife agency for help. For nuisance animals, you can look into natural pest prevention like essential oils in the garden or stakes that emit a high-pitched frequency to deter moles and groundhogs.

• Nuisance behavior (such as barking dogs): Depending on the situation, it may be worth having a conversation with a neighbor before calling the authorities. But if you feel unsafe, you can always call animal control or the police department for help.

• General pet care concerns: If you’re worried about a neighbor’s pet-care habits but there’s no clear sign of neglect or cruelty, consider having a respectful conversation or reaching out to a local rescue organization for guidance.

Commonly asked questions

What’s the difference between animal control and a humane society?

What is an animal control worker, exactly? Animal control is typically a government-run agency that enforces local animal laws, responds to public safety concerns, and manages stray or dangerous animals. Humane societies are usually nonprofit organizations focused on animal welfare, offering services such as adoptions, spay-neuter programs, and education.

Does animal control kill animals?

Unfortunately, there are situations when animal control needs to euthanize an animal. This may happen if the animal is severely injured, terminally ill, or considered extremely dangerous. However, when it comes to domestic animals, many agencies now work closely with shelters and rescues to prioritize rehabilitation and adoption whenever possible.

Will animal control respond to barking dog complaints?

Barking dog complaints usually fall under local noise ordinances and are not addressed by animal control directly. However, animal control may get involved if the barking is part of a larger issue, such as neglect or aggressive behavior.

Do I have to pay if animal control picks up my pet?

Yes, most animal control departments charge a fee to reclaim a lost pet, which may include impound, boarding, and licensing costs. The exact amount depends on your local agency’s policies. Many don’t charge this fee if it’s the first time your pet has been lost.

Can animal control help with wildlife in my yard?

Animal control may respond to wildlife if the animal is injured, acting aggressively, or poses a danger to people or pets. For healthy wild animals, it’s best to contact a local wildlife agency or humane pest-control service.

Is animal control available 24/7?

Availability varies by location, but many animal control departments offer emergency services after hours for urgent situations such as injured animals or public safety threats. For non-emergencies, like finding a stray or a noise complaint, you’ll typically need to call during regular business hours.

References

“City of Columbia - Official Government Website.” City of Columbia Missouri, 2 May 2025, www.como.gov/health/animal-control/. Accessed 29 June 2025.

“Know Your Rights: How to Talk to Local Authorities.” Alley Cat Allies, www.alleycat.org/resources/know-your-rights-how-to-talk-to-animal-control/.