Animal Control Officer Certification Programs

Animal Control Officer Certification ProgramsAnimal Control Officer Certification ProgramsThere are several certifications that will enhance the qualifications of an animal control officer, animal cruelty investigator, or humane educator. Animal Control Training Services Animal Control Training Services (ACTS) offers a variety of training programs for animal control professionals. ACTS trainers travel to the location where the trainees are located, eliminating the need for travel. The three- to four-day training courses cost between $375 and $550 per student. The host agency receives two complimentary registrations for every ten paid registrations. East Coast Animal Control Academy The East Coast Animal Control Academy, presented by Carroll Community College in Maryland, offers a training program for animal control officers. The program is endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States and the Maryland Police Correctional Training Commission. Applicants must be employed by an animal shelter, humane society, or police department. The course consists of approximately 84 hours of instruction over an 11 day period. The total cost is under $1,500. Graduates receive a Continuing Education certificate and credit hours. Florida Animal Control Association The Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) offers certification programs for animal control officers at four colleges. ACO certification courses run for 5 days and range from $425 to $485 depending on the hosting institution. National Animal Control Association The National Animal Control Association (NACA) offers a certification program through its training academy. The academy is a two-level program with each level offering five days (and 40 hours) of instruction. Animal control officers, police officers, and those interested in an animal care or an animal control career are welcome to attend. Certification (including the required level one and two courses) costs $1,050.Additional levels of c urriculum are available. These training academy programs are offered throughout the United States. National Animal Cruelty Investigations School The National Animal Cruelty Investigations School, founded in 1990, offers a certification program for animal cruelty investigators, animal control officers, police officers, and other interested members of the community. There are three week-long components (each consisting of 40 hours) that must be completed for certification as a humane investigator. Tuition ranges from $600 to $650 per week. Partial scholarships (of $300) may be available through the ASPCA.The program has been featured on the Discovery Channel. New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association The New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association (NJCACOA) offers a basic certification course through its Career Development Institute. The class meets once a week for a total of 15 weeks and includes at least 45 hours of instruction. Some colleges als o offer the course, whereby graduates can earn 3 college credit hours. A list of participating colleges is available on the NJCACOA website. Society of Animal Welfare Administrators The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) offers a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) certification program to all animal welfare professionals. The program is only available to members of the organization and those members can visit the SAWA website for the most current fees. Follow-up continuing education credit hours are required for a graduate to maintain certification in the CAWA program. Texas Academy of Animal Control Officers The Texas Academy of Animal Control Officers (TAACO) offers a certification course for animal control officers, animal cruelty investigators, and animal care technicians. The four-week (and 130 hours) course awards two state certifications and 14 certificates of completion in specific aspects of animal control. The cost of the course is under $5, 000. The TAACO also offers a Basic Animal Care Tech (BACT) certification, which is an introductory course that covers shelter management and animal care topics. This is a 4.5 day (and 36hours) course. A wide variety of continuing education courses are also available.