A Unified Safety Standard for Animal Control Officers

Endorsed by:

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For the first time in our industry’s history, the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), in collaboration with 14 state associations, has released a jointly developed position statement focused on the safety and protection of Animal Control Officers.

This landmark document outlines minimum safety standards and gold-standard best practices for equipment, tools, and PPE, covering everything from bite-resistant gloves and control poles to uniform options and officer training requirements. But more importantly, this statement represents something even bigger: unity. As relationships between NACA and state associations have strengthened, so has our shared commitment to advancing the professionalism and well-being of officers across the country. This statement is a direct result of that collaboration, and it stands as a guiding resource for agencies committed to safety, humane handling, and officer support. This is more than a position statement, it’s a symbol of solidarity. Together, we are setting the standard for what officer safety should look like in the field, in the courtroom, and in our communities. We’re grateful to every association that contributed, and we look forward to working in lockstep to ensure Animal Control Officers have the tools, training, and protection they deserve.