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

If confirmed, Amster will lead one of the largest shelter systems in the country, with six animal shelters and animal control officers who deal with roughly 60,000 animals each year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Five days earlier, animal control officers in San Francisco captured a mountain lion within the city after an hours-long standoff.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 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

Multiple monkeys are on the loose in St Louis, Missouri, sparking confusion and concern from the city's animal control officials, who said they do not know where the primates came from.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

I let the animal control lady lead me to her cruiser and drive me to the hospital.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz