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

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

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

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

Officer Martin said it was "just another day in the life of an animal control officer".

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

I give the number for animal control, and I change my profile picture from a Fibonacci spiral to a selfie of me and Pi.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty