The cops that handle cases related to animal rescue, removal or control are called Animal Cops or Animal Control Workers.

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Should I Become an Animal Cop in Alabama?

Cops perform various duties which include going out in the field to rescue animals, writing all relevant case reports, maintaining a complete case record and so on. People in this line of work also face some occupational hazards. For instance they may get attacked or bitten by injured or out of control animals. Therefore, they are given proper training to prevent this from happening.

  • Education Required
  • Major Requirement
  • License/Certification
  • Experience/Training
  • Key Skills
  • Annual Mean Salary (2020) – Alabama
  • Annual Mean Salary (2020) – National
  • Job Outlook (2018-2028) – Alabama
  • At least a high school diploma or GED (though a college degree is preferred)
  • Animal Control, Animal Science, Law Enforcement or a related field
  • Certification of Animal Control and Chemical Capture Technician
  • Up to 5 years of field experience in Animal Control or Veterinary services
  • Decision making, Communication, Agility, Patience and so on.
  • $34,590 (Animal Control Workers)
  • $40,680 (Animal Control Workers)
  • 5% (Animal Control Workers)

Sources: O*NET OnLine and US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook

In accordance with the data reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11,580 Animal Control Workers were employed in the US in 2020. Out of that total, 220 Animal Control Workers were employed in Alabama. Furthermore, BLS named State Government as the highest paying industry for this occupation with an annual mean salary of $48,800.

Steps to Become an Animal Cop in Alabama

Are you an animal lover who wants to save animals and serve the community? Then, the career of an Animal Cop may suit you just fine. If you want to work in this field, follow this easy 3-step guide.

Completing Educational Requirements

All interested candidates have to complete at least a high school degree or a GED before they can apply for a job as Animal Cops in the state of Alabama. However, majority of the employers prefer hiring candidates who have already completed a college degree such as an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in Animal Control, Animal Science or Law Enforcement.

Getting Certified

The state of Alabama mandates that Animal Cops get certification in Animal Control. In addition to that, they are also required to get certified as Chemical Capture Technicians. Many relevant certifications are offered by the National Animal Control Association (NACA) in this occupation. For further details, please visit the official website of the association.

Acquiring Experience in the Field

To work as an Animal Cop in the state of Alabama, all candidates must acquire experience related to animal control or work in veterinary services for up to 5 years. The required years of work experience may vary for different cities in the state.

 

How Long Does It Take to Become an Animal Cop in Alabama?

To work as an animal cop in Alabama, it may take almost 4 to 6 years. This duration varies based on the students’ decision to complete a college degree or not. In addition to that, the timeline may also vary depending upon factors such as the certifications they complete and where they complete their field experience etc.

What Are the Requirements to Become an Animal Cop in Alabama?

All interested candidates who want to work as an Animal Cop in the state of Alabama, must:

  • Be legal US citizens
  • Have a valid Alabama driving license
  • Possess a GED or a High School Diploma
  • Have up to 5 years of experience in the field of Animal Control
  • Certification as a Chemical Capture Technician
    • It is preferred that candidates have this certification before applying for the job but they must obtain it within a year of getting hired otherwise.
  • Get a certification in Animal Control

How Much Can I Make as an Animal Cop in Alabama?

In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that all Animal Control Workers working in the state of Alabama had an annual mean salary of $34,590. Alaska was named as the highest paying state for this profession with an annual mean salary of $55,970.

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