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

Also, the bill clarifies that an animal control agency, with the consent of a prosecutor, can place an evidence animal with a foster.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Ask your typical elected or hired official, from the governor to the animal control folks, and they’ll tell you transparency is vital and sunshine in government a key value.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 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

“Zach, do you think that if the animal control people make my coyote better, they might decide to just let her live?”

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz