Field work for animal protection requires a great deal of knowledge, training, and understanding. The listings found here can provide you with new resources for your toolkit.
Resources and Articles
From the Magazine
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March 1, 2012
Unforgettable: A Mysterious Creature
In this edition of Unforgettable, you'll meet a creature so mysterious that shelter staff weren’t sure how to record the animal’s species on intake.
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March 1, 2012
Law, Order, and Animal Welfare
Following her two passions—law enforcement and animal welfare—leads an animal control officer to help secure the first felony dogfighting conviction in Washington state.
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March 1, 2012
The Great Skunk Debunk
After consulting with staff members at The HSUS’s Cape Wildlife Center, residents in a Massachusetts town end up with fewer conflicts with and a greater understanding of the skunks that had “overrun” their town.
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January 1, 2012
A Matter of Life and Breath
Meet Bobby Silcott, founder of the Maine POM Project, which aims to equip fire departments and rescue organizations throughout the state with oxygen masks for pets.
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November 1, 2011
Lives on the Line
Every day, animal control officers face unpredictable situations with limited knowledge, stepping onto unknown turf where they may encounter a dangerous animal or -- more likely -- an angry member of the public. What can they do to protect themselves?
Policies
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Proper use of Remote Chemical Immobilization Systems
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) supports the appropriate use of remote chemical-delivery systems for animal immobilization, provided an informed decision has been made that this method is superior to other live-capture alternatives.
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The Use of Mace and/or "Pepper" Spray in Animal Control
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recognizes that animal-control officers are often in challenging and physically dangerous situations when restraining fractious animals. This statement explains our policy on the use of mace and "pepper" spray in animal control.
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March 10, 2010
The HSUS Statement on the Use of Electro-Muscular Disruption Devices
The HSUS is opposed to the use of Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) devices in the capture, control, or handling of animals. The false implication that because they are "non-lethal" they are "safe" may lead humane and law enforcement agencies toward unnecessary reliance on EMD devices. We strongly discourage animal control and other law enforcement agents from the use of these devices as a substitute or supplement to current acceptable animal handling tools or techniques.
Programs
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Get Help
in an EmergencyWith a network of regional offices and a nationwide response team, The Humane Society of the United States can provide shelter professionals and other local authorities with the expertise, leadership, and other tools necessary to coordinate animal response activities during a disaster.
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Shelter Services
The HSUS's Shelter Services program helps shelters acquire the tools they need to ensure long-term organizational stability and success in the dynamic environment of animal welfare. No matter the size or issues facing your organization, Shelter Services is here to help.
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State Animal Control Associations
List of State Animal Control Associations.
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Wild Neighbors
The HSUS Wild Neighbors program seeks to raise public awareness and understanding about urban wildlife and to promote humane resolution of human-wildlife conflicts. The program features a variety of educational resources for citizens and for the local animal groups to which citizens often turn for advice.
More
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Humane Career Toolbox
Humane Society University's Humane Career Toolbox will be of interest to people of all ages who seek to professionally assist animals. The toolbox contains resources for both beginning and enhancing a career helping animals.
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Tufts Animal Care and Condition Scales
The Tufts Animal Care and Condition (TACC) Scales were developed in 1997 by Dr. Gary Patronek, with assistance from Lori Donley, MS '97, the Fort Wayne Dept. of Animal Care and Control, and the Law Enforcement Division of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help cruelty investigators and veterinarians assess cases of animal abuse or neglect that are primarily related to husbandry, as opposed to deliberate acts of cruelty.
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May 9, 2012
American Humane Assocation Operational Guide - Chemical Capture
This guide examines the use of remote-delivered chemical compounds for restraining and capturing stray, fractious and feral animals. It includes guidelines for training, equipment, procedures and drugs, as well as a bibliography and list of suppliers.
