06/13/2026
🐾 THEN VS. NOW 🐾
It's honestly a little sad that in 2026, I still feel the need to write this.
Despite all the work Animal Control Officers do for our communities, there are still people—sometimes even people who live right here in our own town—who picture us as the "old-fashioned dog catcher." Someone who shows up to take animals away, using fear and force.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
The image on the left is the stereotype many people still hold onto. The reality is on the right.
Today's Animal Control Officers are rescuers, advocates, investigators, educators, and caretakers. We spend our days reuniting lost pets with their families, helping injured wildlife, investigating cruelty and neglect complaints, assisting residents in difficult situations, and giving homeless animals a second chance.
We celebrate adoptions. We cry when animals suffer. We lose sleep over cases that break our hearts. We spend countless hours trying to do what's best for both the animals and the people we serve.
The job isn't about catching animals—it's about helping them.
Every animal deserves compassion. Every owner deserves respect. Every situation deserves understanding.
So the next time you see Animal Control arrive, know that we're not showing up as villains. We're showing up because someone—whether it's a person or an animal—needs help.
We're proud to be part of this community and proud to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. ❤️🐾
