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

According to McManus, it would probably be harder for rural areas — where animal control might be part of a local police department — to acquire such things.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 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

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

Despite search efforts, the primates had not been found as of Sunday evening, the city's health department, which handles animal control, told BBC News.

From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2026

The animal control building comes into view on the right.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty