If you work as an Enforcement Animal Health Officer, your main job will be to investigate claims of animal mistreatment that are in violation of the state laws. This involves inspecting livestock carriers and livestock markets to see if there are any violations. You will have to collect data and make records of your observations as well as interview those directly involved in caring for the animals. If there is a clear violation, you will have to issue citations, swerve summonses and subpoenas, and testify at court. You will also have to take the animals away from the site. In some cases you may have to impound the animals and if necessary issue quarantine notifications.
Working in animal care as an animal health officer involves inspecting the premises of commercial breeders, animal shelter, pet shops and other locations where there are a number of animals for sale to ensure that the owners comply with the state regulations for looking after the health and welfare of these animals. For new stores, your investigation will determine whether or not the owner can obtain a license to operate in the state. Regular visits to all locations is essential to ensure that things are not the way they should be when the owners know you are coming.
Some of the other duties of an animal health officer include providing assistance to veterinarians in cases that require investigation. You will also be responsible for providing expertise to other local and state agencies in this field. You should have good organizational skills to arrange your workweek and prioritize the cases. You may have other tasks assigned to you that fall under the umbrella of your area of expertise.
To obtain a position as an animal health officer you should have a high school diploma and at least four years of technical experience in either the livestock industry, law enforcement or in an animal care facility. It is possible that you may need to have police training to obtain a position in enforcement. Whether you are in animal care or enforcement, you do need to have in-depth knowledge of the laws of the state regarding the health and welfare of animals and knowledge of investigative techniques, as well as a working knowledge of all the animals bought and sold in the state, whether they are domestic or exotic. You also need to demonstrate an ability to work in all kinds of weather, to have a varied work schedule and to be able to travel extensively.
