Animal Welfare Professionals

UPDATED 11/15/23

The Field Services and Public Safety Toolkit from Human Animal Support Services (HASS) is a living document that includes definitions, downloadable resources, FAQs, and guidelines to help organizations begin doing this work.

HASS defines Field Services and Public Safety as: 

Animal field services professionals are people who work out in the community as animal protection (animal control) officers, humane investigators, outreach staff, community cat trappers, and others. Field services are governed by ordinances, laws and regulations, as well as internal organizational policies. Field services professionals perform a huge array of services to the community and provide a vital connection point at the intersection of people, animals, and the environment. 

Traditionally (the 1850s to 1990s) field services roles were primarily dedicated to impounding animals, tackling cruelty and neglect, getting unsafe animals off the streets, and issuing citations to people violating animal statutes. More recently, these roles have been expanded to include countless other services, including outreach/education, providing supplies and food, helping pet owners access veterinary services, and getting lost pets home quickly and safely.

For the purpose of this document, the terms ‘animal control,’ ‘animal protection,’ and ‘field services’ will be used interchangeably.

View the Field Services and Public Safety Toolkit

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