Animal Cop/Animal Treatment Investigator

Do you like the sound of saying "I'm an animal cop?" Perhaps you would enjoy being a special investigator for the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or working as an animal cop for another law enforcement group. Animal cops respond to reports of crimes against animals, like abuse and extreme neglect, and arrest the people responsible. Animal cops got a lot of notice in the fall of 2001 when they saved many animals that were abandoned in and around buildings after September 11th.

Here's animals cops do every day:

• Respond to complaints and investigate reports of animal abuse.
• Animal cops gather evidence so they can arrest abusers and make the rescue!
• Sometimes, people don't cooperate, or the animal(s) are not friendly! Animal cops must know how to read animal body language!
• Many states require animal cops to be an officer of the law, so that they can carry a gun and have the same arrest powers as that of a regular police officer.
• Officers see animals in painful situations so they have to be able to deal with this and STILL get the job done.

Thinking about becoming one? Here's how:



In general, animal cops have 2- or 4-year degrees, experience in law enforcement, pass a training program and a firearms course. Some are certified by law enforcement institutions, such as the University of Missouri's Cruelty Investigation School. Animal cops usually work for humane societies, like the ASPCA, and earn about $35,000 per year (average starting salary).

For more info. check out:

www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_home