animal control

American  

[an-uh-muhl kuhn-trohl] / ˈæn ə məl kənˌtroʊl /

noun

1. a government entity that takes custody of stray domestic animals and facilitates their return to or placement in a home environment, defends animals from abuse and neglect, and protects the public from aggressive or dangerous animals.

   Someone needs to call animal control to deal with the feral cats in this neighborhood.

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Etymology

Origin of animal control

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

animal control

Interim general manager Annette Ramirez noted that Bass has proposed cutting three positions — a shelter supervisor, an animal care technician and an animal control officer — under the proposal.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

A 25-year-old man is dead after a suspected rattlesnake bite last month in Irvine, prompting warnings from animal control officials in Orange County as rattlesnake activity ramps up across trails and open spaces.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026

The owner told an animal control investigator that she feared for her 8-year-old child and wanted to surrender Valerio.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026

Two animal control officers spotted the mountain lion as they patrolled the Pacific Heights area around 1:30 a.m., prompting an “hours-long standoff,” the agency said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

“This animal needs medical attention. That’s what animal control can provide. And it’s a wild animal, so you cannot take it to a vet.”

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz