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

Massachusetts Animal Fund Animal Control Officer Training Institute Program

2024 ACO Core Training

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 links for the 2024 Core Competencies Trainings are below.  

2024 MAF Core Competencies Session I: Palmer, MA  (In-person slots are FULL, email sheri.gustafson@mass.gov to sign up as a virtual attendee) 2-day training. Day I on Monday, September, 23rd, 2024 & Day 2 on Monday, September 30th, 2024. Please note: All first time attendees MUST complete both days of training and testing to receive Core Competencies credit. Attendees who have previously taken the course, may attend one or both days as a refresher to get continuing education credit. This training will take place at the Palmer Police Station at 4417 Main Street, Palmer, MA 01069

Register for 2024 MAF Core Competencies Session II: Eastern, MA (In-person only) 2-day training. Day I on Tuesday, October, 8th, 2024 & Day 2 on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024. Please note: All first time attendees MUST complete both days of training and testing to receive Core Competencies credit. Attendees who have previously taken the course, may attend one or both days as a refresher to get continuing education credit. This training will take place at the Animal Rescue League of Boston- Dedham Branch at 10 Anna's Place, Dedham, MA 02026

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


2023 Core Competencies Presentation Handouts 

  1. Law Handout
  2. Wildlife Handout
  3. Emergency Prep Handout 
  4. Animal Behavior Handout
  5. Public Relations Handout
  6. Records and Report Writing Handout 

  7. Mass Animal Fund Overview Handout 

    2023 Core Training Video Library

2023 Core Resources 

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.    

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

2024 ACO Designation Portal 

ACO Essential Forms

Guidance Material 

ACO Training Reporting Forms

Mass Animal Fund Voucher Forms and Information

Mass Animal Fund ACO Newsletters

Additional Resources

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MDAR Notice

On August 16, 2024, the Division of Animal Health was notified about a reportable disease incident involving a mother cat and kittens all of whom tested positive and succumbed to panleukopenia. The cat and kittens were part of a trapping project in Randolph and were sent to a veterinary clinic because one kitten was recognized as sick. The viral exposure appears to have occurred at the colony itself.

Unfortunately, additional cats were also trapped within the same area and time frame and these additional cats including lactating moms, varying ages of kittens, and other adult cats appear to have been widely dispersed to other shelter and rescue groups. There is no proper inventory of trapped cats nor are there good descriptions of the animals involved. The cats may have been reported to have come from other cities or towns consistent with the location of the many volunteers who were assisting in moving these cats.

Please be aware that any feral/semi feral/ or minimally socialized cats or kittens that shelter or rescue groups may have received in the last two weeks without a verified history may be a part of that panleukopenia exposed/affected colony. Please monitor your intakes carefully and engage with your veterinarians to examine and diagnose any cats or kittens that may appear sick. Isolate new arrivals and practice good biosecurity to protect your cat population.

Anyone with additional information regarding the movement or locations of cats from this colony should please contact the Division of Animal Health at (617-626-1795).

Contact   for ACO Resources

Online

Email Sheri Gustafson- Mass Animal Fund Program Coordinator at Sheri.Gustafson@mass.gov

Phone

Call Sheri Gustafson- Mass Animal Fund Program Coordinator at 617-626-1740

Fax

617-626-1733

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