Animal Control - Officer Training
Waco Animal Control Officers are trained and certified by the Texas Department of Health and the Texas Animal Control Association in four areas.
Basic
The officer attends a 2 to 3 day course to learn History of Animal Control, Animal Identification, Animal Capture and restraint, Animal transportation, Animal Impoundment, Disposition of Animals, Shelter Safety, Sanitation, Health, Rabies, Records, Public Relations, State and Local Animal Control Laws, Court Conduct, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Treatment and Disposition of Animals, Regulation of Animals, Animal Shelters, Laws Infrequently Used by Animal Control Officers, Rabies Control Act, Dog and Cat Sterilization and Animal Cruelty and Dog Fighting. The Officer must pass a written and a practical (hands on) exam.
Advanced
The Basic officer attends a 2 to 3 day course to learn advanced techniques for Animal Identification, Animal transportation, Animal Impoundment, Animal Disposition, Occupational Safety, Sanitation and Disease Control, Health, Records and Forms, Public Relations, Chemical Capture and Vernon's Texas Codes on Texas Controlled Substances Act, Treatment and Disposition of Animals, Regulation of Animals, Animal Shelters, Circuses, Carnivals, Zoos, Predatory Animals and Animal Pest, Rabies Control Act, Riding Stables, Dog and Cat Sterilization, Cruelty to Animals, Dog Fighting and Cock Fighting. The Officer must pass a written and a practical (hands on) exam.
Instructor
The advanced officer attends a 3 to 4 day course that covers teaching techniques, presentation delivery, speech skills, attraction and detraction, Class participation techniques, Course content, and Testing. The Officer must pass a written exam as well as present lesson assignments and presentation before the class and instructors as part of his or her passing grade.
Administrative
The advanced officer attends a 4 to 5 day course that deals strictly with the management and operation of a Shelter Facility and staff and Animal Control Officer. The course contains instruction on Financial, Overhead, Supplies, Payroll, Fund raising, Donations, Records and Hiring and Firing of Personnel. The officer must pass a written exam and pass his or her presentation of his or her example shelter.
Continuing Education
Officers at each level of certification are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years to re-certify or will drop back to the next lowest level and be required to attend the upper level course to re-attain that level.
