Community Member Perspectives on U.S. Animal Control and Field Services

This research started with interviews of animal law enforcement officers in collaboration with the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA). The findings of this study highlighted that, while there is substantial interest and attempts by officers to positively engage with the communities they serve, there is no consistent definition or policies for community engagement. The findings from this qualitative study informed the development of a quantitative survey to more broadly understand officers’ community engagement practices and policies. Survey data collection was launched in October 2023 with a strategy to collect over 600 responses for analysis in the Spring Academic Quarter of 2024. Finally, a qualitative study will be conducted with residents in one of the communities experiencing higher than average enforcement rates identified in the enforcement pattern study to better understand community perspective on animal law enforcement engagement practices and policies.