ACO Resources

Animal control officers must complete the required Mass Animal Fund training program.

Training Requirements

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. 

ACO Core Competencies Trainings in 2025

Session I: Northampton | MA Police Station 

Monday, September 8, 2025  and Tuesday, September 9, 2025 |  9 AM-4 PM This session will be offered in-person and will have a virtual attendee option. REGISTER TODAY 

Session II:  Dedham, MA | ARL Boston's Dedham Location  

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 and Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 9 AM- 4 PM This session will be restricted to in-person attendees only.  REGISTER TODAY 

Not sure if you need to take the Core Training? Read through our frequently asked questions.

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 for CE credit through the ACO Request for CE Online Submission portal.  Certificates of completion and/or a Request for CE Form or the Request for Multiple CEU Form can be uploaded into the portal.    

2024 Core Training Handouts and Resources

Law Presentation Handout   Wildlife Presentation Handout   Emergency Preparedness Presentation Handout   Animal Behavior Presentation Handout   Public Relation Presentation Handout   Records and Report Writing Presentation Handout   Mass Animal Fund Presentation Handout   ACO Core Training Guide  Core Competencies Video Library  

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
• Code of Massachusetts Regulations

ACO Laws and Designation

Animal Laws and Regulations 2024 Edition 

ACO Annual Designation 

Under Mass General Law, all Animal Control Officers must be annually designated annually by their municipality. 

Fillable 2025 ACO Designation Form 

2025 ACO Designation Portal  

ACO Essential Forms

• 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
• Dog Bite Form
• 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.
• Monthly activity report
• Massachusetts Animal Fund Request for CE Credit
• Request for Multiple CEUs Form

MDAR Developed Guidance Documents for ACOs and Municipalities

Guidance for Animal Control Officers Responding to Avian Influenza Mortality Events & Public Inquiries

View the HPAI Guidance Document  

Ollie's Law Information Page   Preventing Canine Illness in Kennels Document (MDAR)  Town Clerk Records Document   ACO Animal Placement Options  Prevent exposure to HPAI virus in your Poultry Flock   Abandoned Animal Guidance for ACOs 

Mass Animal Fund Voucher Forms and Information

• ACO Voucher Request Form 
• Owned Animal Assistance Request for Owners must be completed in full
• Owned Animal Voucher Request -
• ACO Vaccine Only Request Form
• Outdoor and At-Large Cat Request Form 
• Spay/Neuter Provider Join Brochure.
• Spay/Neuter Owner Brochure 
•  Tax promotion poster (vertical)

Mass Animal Fund ACO Newsletters

Mass Animal Fund sends out email newsletters to keep ACOs and subscribers informed about:

1. ACO training requirements and opportunities
2. ACO reporting requirements
3. Changes in animal legislation
4. Free spay/neuter voucher program status and wait times
5. MDAR announcements and ACO resources
6. Newly developed community resources

Sign up to receive the ACO Newsletter Today!

See the most recent newsletter ACO Updates from Mass Animal Fund-December 2024

View the ACO Newsletter Archives

Download a Tax Donation Graphic and Help Spread the Word!

Turn Taxes into Tail Wags Graphic  Help Animals Fur Real Graphic  Leave Your Mark at Tax Time Graphic  Just Dropping In Graphic  Visit the Warm and Fuzzy Tax Line Graphic 

Community Resources

• Emergency Pet Care Form for Owned Animals
• Found a Cat Flowchart
• Please Don't Feed the Geese and Ducks poster
• Please Don't Feed Wildlife poster
• Pet Friendly Etiquette Tips for Owners

Don't forget to help us spread the word about the tax donation option on Line 33F!