Training Requirements
Massachusetts Animal Fund Animal Control Officer Training Institute Program
All ACOs are required to complete 30 education credits (ECs) in their first training year. The Massachusetts Animal Fund Animal Control Institute's Core Competencies Training is mandatory for all ACOs and worth 16 ECs. Registration for the next Core Competencies will take place in the Fall of 2024! Stay tuned for information and links.
Not sure if you need to take the Core Training? Read through our frequently asked questions.
2023 Core Competencies Presentation Handouts
6. Records and Report Writing Handout
7. Mass Animal Fund Overview Handout
2023 Core Training Video Library
2023 Core Resources
Animal Laws and Regulations in Massachusetts 2022
Fillable Law Quiz Answer Sheet
All animal control officers are eligible for exemption from the remaining fourteen (14) credit hours of continuing education in the first year if they completed a comprehensive course with the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts (ACOAM), the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), or the New England Animal Control/Humane Academy (NEACHA).
After completing the year one training cycle, Core Training plus an additional 14 ECs, ACOs are required to take eight credit hours of approved continuing education through any combination of in-person or online trainings offered by or approved by the Massachusetts Animal Fund during each calendar year.
Upon completion of any continuing education course, ACOs must submit a certificate of completion and/or a Request for CE Form or the Request for Multiple CEU Form.
If no certificate is available, fill out the Request for CE Form.https://www.mass.gov/doc/aco-request-for-multiple-ceus-form/download It requires the signature of the course organizer and your supervisor. Be sure to bring this form with you to the training. In the case of online courses, only your supervisor’s signature is required.
All completed CE forms should be mailed to Mass Animal Fund, 251 Causeway Street Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114 or to sheri.gustafson@mass.gov
Forms and Reference Guides
Under Massachusetts general laws ACOs need to make, keep, and maintain a system of records or forms which fully and correctly disclose detailed information of all animals taken into ACO custody. In addition, it is important to keep activity, incident, lost/found, and voucher request information. Mass Animal Fund has compiled forms, and resources for ACOs to use for their records.
Animal Laws and Regulations Law book is updated annually for ACOs. This book contains wording of:
- M.G.L. Chapter 140
- M.G.L. Chapter 272
- M.G.L. Chapter 129
- Additional M.G.L. quick reference
- Acts of 2012
- PAWS II Updates
- Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Animal Control Intake Form (Fillable PDF) or Animal Intake Form (Mergeable Word) must be filled out for every animal that enters an ACO's possession and forms must be sent to town clerk every 30 days. Video showing how to batch Intake Forms monthly using Adobe DC Here is a sample Intake Spreadsheet.
Need more than a regular intake form? Try the new Animal Control Intake Form with Custody Supplement Page
Feline Reporting Form (NEW 2021) designed for trappers, veterinary offices, and shelters to easily report found/trapped cats to ACOs
Animal Control Incident Report
Notice to Municipal Animal Inspector of Possible Exposure to Rabies
Kennel Inspection Form updated (2023) Inspections and forms must be completed before initial licensing and before renewal. Completed forms need to go to the licensing authority.
Educational Material
Preventing Canine Illness in Kennels Document (MDAR)
Prevent exposure to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in your Poultry Flock
ACO Training Reporting Forms
Massachusetts Animal Fund Request for CE Credit
Request for Multiple CEUs Form
Mass Animal Fund Voucher Forms and Information
Owned Animal Assistance Request for Owners must be completed in full
Owned Animal Voucher Request -
Outdoor and At-Large Cat Request Form
Spay/Neuter Provider Join Brochure.
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Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for Nov/Dec 2021
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for Jan 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for Feb 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for April 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for May 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for June 2022
MAF and MDAR Updates for ACOs Meeting Notes 6.21.22
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for July 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for August 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for October 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for November 2022
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for Feb. 2023
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for April/May 2023
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for June 2023
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for July 2023
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for August 2023
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates for November 2023
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates NEW YEAR 2024
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates February 2024
Mass Animal Fund ACO Updates March 2024
Additional Resources
Emergency Pet Care Form for Owned Animals
Sample position description
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