Animal Control Officer Resources

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ACO Training

Verbal Judo for the Contact Professional Workshop on 5/11/23 & 5/12/23 (PDF) - A two day workshop sponsored by Maine Municipal Association

Advanced Trainings for CE Credits

September 2, 2021 - Animal Welfare has continued to grant extensions for CE training in 2021 due to the latest spike in COVID-19 cases.

  • ACOs that completed trainings in 2020 and 2021 will not need to take any further action for their 2020 and 2021 CE credits.
  • ACOs that were not able to complete their 8 hours of CE credits in 2020 will need to complete these credit hours in 2021 in addition to the 8 hours of CE credits required for 2021.
  • ACOs that have not completed CE credits for 2020 and 2021 will be required to register for Phase I (online) and Phase II (in person) training to recertify.

The Animal Welfare Program is looking into alternative training options for all ACOs. Any additional training sessions that are approved by Animal Welfare will be posted here on our website.

It is the responsibility of every ACO to fulfill the mandated yearly eight (8) hour training requirements, keep accurate records of their Animal Welfare Program-approved training, and have this documentation available for review if requested. CE credits need to be completed by the end of the calendar year, December 31, to meet the mandated requirements. ACOs that fail to maintain their yearly eight (8) hour training requirements will be required to complete Phase I (online) and Phase II training to recertify.

The Animal Welfare Program suggests the following online training to help fill the requirements until regular in-person training can be safely held again. The online programs listed below have been approved for CE.

If you know of a training that can benefit you and help you in the course of your duties as an ACO, please contact the Animal Welfare Program with the course information and ask for it to be considered for approval for CE credits.

Phase II ACO Training

ACO Phase II training is being rescheduled for 2022. Once locations have been secured, Phase I trainees will be given the date time and location of the training.

All trainees must have completed all of the required online training before arriving at the in-person training.

Details to be announced soon.

Phase 1 ACO Training

Phase I training will consist of the core competencies that all ACOs will need to be aware of in order to perform their duties efficiently. Phase II training will consist of practical instruction and exercises to test the core competencies of the trainee and give real experience for ACOs.

  • All trainees will be required to register with an email address to receive the instruction for the online training.
  • Cost: $50
  • Registration Form (PDF)

Manuals, Guides and Booklets

Animal Control Officer Forms

Dog Tags Assigned to Towns