Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP)
The Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) program is more than an online course—it's an immersive, self-paced certification designed to prepare animal control professionals for the realities of the job. Through interactive, scenario-based learning, you'll strengthen critical thinking, refine investigative skills, and apply legal and ethical principles to the situations you encounter every day.
Developed from years of field experience and professional instruction, every lesson combines real-world scenarios, practical application, and evidence-based best practices to help animal control professionals make safe, effective, and legally defensible decisions in the field.
Whether you're beginning your career or expanding your investigative skills, CACP delivers practical, on-demand training that fits your schedule and provides the knowledge and professional judgment you can immediately apply in the field.
Because every decision matters—and so does the training behind it.
SCENARIO-BASED TRAINING • REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE • SELF-PACED ONLINE LEARNING • PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION • PROFESSIONALLY DEVELOPED TRAINING
Certification Pathway
Standard Certification Path
Module I: Foundational Skills & Decision-Making
Interactive Self-Paced eLearning • Approximately 10–15 HoursBuild the foundational knowledge and professional judgment needed to succeed in modern animal control.
Certificate of Completion Awarded
Module II: Advanced Scenarios & Investigations Interactive Self-Paced eLearning • Approximately 20–30 Hours Build on the foundation established in Module I through advanced, scenario-based investigations and practical application.Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) Designation Awarded
Module II: Advanced Scenarios & Investigations Interactive Self-Paced eLearning • Approximately 20–30 Hours Build on the foundation established in Module I through advanced, scenario-based investigations and practical application.Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) Designation Awarded
Bridge Certification Path
CACP Foundations Bridge Course: Competency ValidationInteractive Self-Paced eLearning • Approximately 3–5 Hours
Designed for currently certified animal control professionals, this competency-based bridge course provides a condensed review of the foundational concepts covered in Module I and concludes with a comprehensive competency assessment.Competency Validation Required
Why We Created the Bridge CourseWe recognize the time, effort, and professional development you've already invested in earning a respected animal control certification. The CACP Foundations Bridge Course honors that achievement by allowing you to demonstrate your foundational knowledge through a condensed review and competency assessment rather than repeating Module I.
Who Is Eligible?
The CACP Foundations Bridge Course is available to professionals who currently hold a recognized animal control certification, including National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) ACO I & II, Code 3 Associates Essential Animal Services Training Academy, the National Animal Cruelty Investigations (NACI) School, state animal control or animal welfare association certification programs, and other comparable programs approved by Keep It Humane.
Module II: Advanced Scenarios & Investigations
Interactive Self-Paced eLearning • Approximately 20–30 Hours
Build on your foundation through advanced, scenario-based investigations and practical application.Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) Designation Awarded
What’s Included in Module I
Module I builds the foundational knowledge every animal control professional needs to work safely, confidently, and effectively in the field. Through immersive, interactive, and self-paced learning, you'll develop the core skills that support sound decision-making, legal compliance, officer safety, and professional communication. The CACP Foundations Bridge Course provides a condensed, competency-based review of these same foundational topics.
Professional Foundations
• Foundations of Animal Control and Sheltering• Field Decision-Making: Ethics, Prioritization, and Community Engagement• Professional Report Writing for Animal Control
Officer Safety & Wellness
• Officer Safety: The Human Element• Officer Safety: Dogs and Cats• Recognizing and Managing Compassion Fatigue• Animal Control Equipment: Selection and Safe Use
Investigations & Animal Identification
• Legal Authority, Search, and Seizure• Dog Bite Cases: Assessment and Documentation• Zoonotic Diseases and Field Detection• Dog Breed Identification: Accuracy and Challenges• Cat Breed Identification: Accuracy and Challenges
What’s Included in Module II
Module II takes your training to the next level through immersive, interactive, self-paced, and scenario-based learning designed around the complex challenges faced by today's animal control professionals. Explore advanced investigations, specialized response topics, and legally defensible case development while strengthening the critical thinking and professional judgment needed to navigate high-risk, high-impact situations with confidence.
Core Investigative Skills
• Investigating Animal Neglect Cases• Animal Condition Assessment• Canine Body Condition Scoring• Feline Body Condition Scoring• Equine Body Condition Scoring• Livestock Identification and Field Care
Complex Investigations
• Animal Cruelty Investigations• Addressing Animal Hoarding• Dog Fighting Investigations• Cock Fighting Investigations• Animal Sexual Abuse Investigations• Understanding the Link Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence
Specialized Response & Legal Skills
• Verbal De-escalation• Emergency Preparedness for Animal Control• Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) for Animal Control• Courtroom Testimony and Legal Proceedings
See CACP in Action
CACP uses immersive scenarios, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies designed to strengthen critical thinking and professional judgment. Unlike traditional online courses, participants actively apply concepts through realistic decision-making exercises.
Who Should Enroll
The Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) program is designed for professionals seeking practical, immersive training that reflects the realities of modern animal control.
This program is ideal for:
• Animal Control Officers (or whatever your agency calls you 😊)
• Supervisors, managers, and field training officers
• Law enforcement officers with animal control or animal cruelty responsibilities
• Code enforcement officers with animal-related responsibilities
• Veterinary professionals who support animal cruelty investigations
• Students and individuals pursuing a career in animal control
What You'll Earn
Upon Completing Module I
• Certificate of Completion
Upon Successfully Completing the CACP Foundations Bridge Course
• Competency Validation for Advancement to Module II
Upon Completing Modules I & II
• Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) Designation
• Printed & Digital CACP Certificate
• Digital CACP Badge for LinkedIn, Email Signatures & Professional Profiles
• Official CACP Uniform Pin
• Certified Animal Control Professional Stickers
• Access to Downloadable Job Aids & Resources
• Ongoing Support for Case Development & Courtroom Testimony
Pricing
Many animal control professionals invest in their own training, while others receive support from their employer. Our pricing reflects both pathways, making professional certification more accessible during our introductory launch. Take advantage of these limited-time introductory prices while they're available.
Standard Certification Path
- Self-Funded — $249 Introductory Price
- Agency-Funded — $399 Introductory Price
Bridge Certification Path
- Self-Funded — $199 Introductory Price
- Agency-Funded — $299 Introductory Price
Registration Information
After submitting your registration form, click the button below to complete your payment. Your enrollment is not complete until both your registration and payment have been received.
Want an Advanced Endorsement?
Take your training beyond the online certification with an optional in-person course featuring classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and interactive scenario-based training. Available after completing Modules I & II.
FAQ
Is the Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) program accredited?
The Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) is not currently accredited by a third-party accrediting body. Like many respected professional certifications in animal welfare, the value of the program is based on the quality of its curriculum, practical application, and professional development opportunities.
The program was developed by Daniel Ettinger, an experienced animal control professional and instructor whose courses have previously been approved for POST continuing education, veterinary continuing education, and continuing education through state animal control and animal welfare organizations. We are happy to work with agencies and organizations to determine whether the program may qualify for continuing education credit.
How does the online learning experience work?
CACP is a fully remote, self-paced eLearning program that can be completed anytime using a computer, tablet, or mobile device.
Unlike traditional webinar recordings or PowerPoint presentations, CACP uses immersive, interactive, and scenario-based learning designed specifically for today's animal control professionals. Lessons include multimedia content, practical exercises, knowledge checks, and real-world scenarios that reinforce critical thinking and professional judgment.
Do I need previous animal control experience?
No. The Standard Certification Path is appropriate for both new and experienced professionals.
If you already hold a qualifying animal control certification, you may be eligible for the CACP Foundations Bridge Course, allowing you to demonstrate your foundational knowledge before advancing directly to Module II.
How long do I have to complete the program?
Participants have one year from the date of enrollment to complete their coursework. Because CACP is fully self-paced, you can progress through the program whenever your schedule allows.
Can I start Module II without completing Module I?
No. Module II builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills introduced in Module I. Participants must successfully complete Module I before advancing to Module II.
Once you successfully complete Module I, you'll automatically be enrolled in Module II and receive an email from Reach 360 Notifications with instructions to begin the course. Please allow up to 12 hours for the Reach 360 email to arrive, although most participants receive it much sooner.
Do I have to complete the course all at once?
No. Your progress is automatically saved, allowing you to complete the program at your own pace and return whenever it's convenient.
How do I earn the CACP designation and what will I receive?
The Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) designation is earned by successfully completing the required certification pathway and Module II.
Participants completing the Standard Certification Path must successfully complete Module I and Module II. Participants completing the Bridge Certification Path must successfully complete the CACP Foundations Bridge Course and Module II.
Upon successful completion of Module II, participants earn the Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) designation and receive an official printed certificate, digital certificate, digital badge, and CACP uniform pin.
Will CACP qualify for continuing education (CE) credit?
Continuing education requirements vary by agency, state, association, and credentialing organization. While we cannot guarantee CE approval by every organization, we are happy to provide course outlines, learning objectives, and completion documentation to assist agencies in evaluating the program for continuing education credit.
Is the Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) a national certification?
Yes. CACP was designed for animal control and animal welfare professionals throughout the United States and internationally.
While many topics—such as investigations, report writing, officer safety, ethics, animal behavior, and professional communication—are universally applicable, portions of the curriculum discuss U.S. laws, constitutional principles, and legal concepts.
Why choose CACP?
The Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) program was developed to provide immersive, interactive, and scenario-based training that reflects the realities of modern animal control.Rather than relying on recorded lectures or static presentations, CACP emphasizes real-world application, critical thinking, and professional judgment to help participants build skills they can immediately apply in the field.
Important Information
- CACP is intended for professional development and educational purposes.
- Animal control laws, regulations, and agency policies vary by jurisdiction. Participants should always follow their agency's policies and applicable laws.
- Successful completion of CACP does not grant law enforcement authority or replace agency-specific training requirements.
- Course enrollment provides a single-user, non-transferable license.
- All course materials are protected by U.S. copyright law. For complete details regarding enrollment, certification, licensing, refunds, and course policies, please click here.