WEBVTT

1
00:00:01.333 --> 00:00:03.366
Historic images have given the

2
00:00:03.366 --> 00:00:05.466
village dogcatcher a bad rap,

3
00:00:05.466 --> 00:00:07.999
but in reality Animal Control Workers

4
00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:09.700
are more like social workers

5
00:00:09.700 --> 00:00:11.600
than dastardly villains.

6
00:00:11.600 --> 00:00:12.800
While love for animals is

7
00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:14.366
a good place to start –

8
00:00:14.366 --> 00:00:15.932
you’ll need skills and discipline

9
00:00:15.933 --> 00:00:18.566
to become an animal control worker.

10
00:00:18.566 --> 00:00:20.466
These workers take care of animals

11
00:00:20.466 --> 00:00:21.532
who are abandoned,

12
00:00:21.533 --> 00:00:23.466
unlicensed, mistreated—

13
00:00:23.466 --> 00:00:25.832
or who pose a danger to the community.

14
00:00:25.833 --> 00:00:27.333
In addition to transporting

15
00:00:27.333 --> 00:00:28.866
and caring for animals,

16
00:00:28.866 --> 00:00:31.299
the job often includes euthanizing

17
00:00:31.300 --> 00:00:34.166
severely injured and unclaimed animals.

18
00:00:34.166 --> 00:00:35.966
But it can also involve arranging for

19
00:00:35.966 --> 00:00:38.932
medical care and adoption of animals.

20
00:00:38.933 --> 00:00:40.899
To be an animal control worker takes

21
00:00:40.900 --> 00:00:43.133
dedication to the well-being of animals

22
00:00:43.133 --> 00:00:44.399
and the public,

23
00:00:44.400 --> 00:00:45.900
as well as large doses of

24
00:00:45.900 --> 00:00:47.900
patience and assertiveness.

25
00:00:47.900 --> 00:00:49.933
Animal control workers may be a

26
00:00:49.933 --> 00:00:51.699
part of a local police department,

27
00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:53.600
an independent agency,

28
00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:55.900
or a private organization.

29
00:00:55.900 --> 00:00:57.900
These workers investigate reports of

30
00:00:57.900 --> 00:00:59.366
cruelty to animals,

31
00:00:59.366 --> 00:01:00.999
and complaints of animal attacks

32
00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:03.266
on people and other animals.

33
00:01:03.266 --> 00:01:05.199
They must interview the people involved,

34
00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:07.900
gather evidence, and write up reports.

35
00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:09.466
They are often on call at night,

36
00:01:09.466 --> 00:01:11.966
on weekends and holidays

37
00:01:11.966 --> 00:01:13.966
Employers typically prefer candidates

38
00:01:13.966 --> 00:01:15.799
with a high school diploma.

39
00:01:15.800 --> 00:01:18.100
Training usually takes place on the job,

40
00:01:18.100 --> 00:01:19.666
though some career schools

41
00:01:19.666 --> 00:01:22.632
and police academies offer related courses.

42
00:01:22.633 --> 00:01:25.099
The greatest reward for animal control workers

43
00:01:25.100 --> 00:01:27.133
is knowing they help protect

44
00:01:27.133 --> 00:01:30.333
the vulnerable creatures living alongside us.