Dogs and cats are not the only animals that animal cops protect.
The reality shows that feature animal cops in various states protecting pets and other animals has lead to an increased interest in those jobs. However, the television shows only highlight a small part of the job. In most areas, including Colorado, the job title for such work is that of animal control officer and the work can include much more than law enforcement. It can also include veterinary care, cage cleaning and public education. Those seeking a career in animal protection work in Colorado can look to the Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers for resources.
Instructions
1. Gain experience working with animals by getting a job or volunteering for a local shelter, pet rescue, nature center or veterinary hospital. Experience working hands-on with any animals will help you qualify for a position in animal control.
2. Become a National Animal Control Association certified animal control/care officer. To do this, attend the NACA Training Academy's Level I and Level II classes and pass the certification test. The training schedule is available on the NACA website (see Resources).
3. Attend training and educational conferences in Colorado related to animal control work. Conferences, such as the Colorado Animal Welfare Conference and the Colorado Division of Wildlife Agency Training, will give you valuable up-to-date information issues that affect animal control officers. These will also allow you to make connections with people in Colorado that are in a position to offer employment.
4. Search the Colorado Association Animal Control Officers' website for job postings. Here you can view jobs throughout the state that include animal protection as part of the job responsibilities. Depending on the organization or government office hiring, job responsibilities may only pertain to animals or may include other local code enforcement. For example, in some areas the Community Service Officer responds to any code violations such as those that involve abandoned vehicles, parking and animals.
5. Search for job postings at local shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, and city and county offices. These are the organizations that typically hire for animal control and humane officers.
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