What is a Dog Warden / Animal Licensing Inspector?
Each local authority in the UK is required to employ someone responsible for the collection of stray dogs. Dog Warden is the title usually used for this position but they can also be known as Animal Wardens, Dog Control Officers and Animal Welfare Officers. The remit of an Animal Welfare Officer is wider and it is to assist all animals in need, be proactive in the prevention of animal cruelty, and provide practical animal care advice and assistance to the general public about responsible pet ownership.
Animal Licensing Inspectors are responsible for the licensing of animal related premises according to the Defra licensing requirements. Local Authority Animal Licensing Inspectors work for Councils inspecting and licensing any business involving animals. This includes the licensing of any business involved in the sale and care of animals including Dog Boarding Kennels, Catteries, Day Care for Dogs, Home Boarding Dogs, Dog Breeding and Selling Animals as pets.
What does their work include?
Work as a Dog Warden or Animal Licensing Inspector can include:
- Investigating claims of neglect or reported cruelty.
- Providing practical animal care advice.
- Collecting evidence of neglect or cruelty & presenting evidence in court.
- Removing animals from harmful situations.
- Animal rescue work.
- Visiting and checking sites or establishments where animals are kept (such as farms, pet shops and markets).
- Following up calls about lost/stray or suffering animals.
- Giving presentations and talks to schools and other organisations about animal welfare issues.
Where do Dog Wardens / Animal Licensing Inspectors work?
Many local authorities and animal welfare charities, such as the RSPCA, now employ Animal Welfare Officers. In local authorities, the work of an Animal Welfare Officer and an Animal Licensing Inspector is often combined. Due to the nature of the work, Animal Welfare Officers are required to attend various premises and locations which means that they work outdoors in all types of weather and may spend a lot of time travelling between jobs.
What soft skills do you need to become a Dog Warden / Animal Licensing Inspector?
To consider a career as a Dog Warden or Animal Licensing Inspector, several soft skills are required to become successful.
- Excellent people skills.
- Compassion.
- Care about animal welfare.
- Experience in working with animals.
- Physical fitness and being able to swim 50 meters fully clothed.
- Being able to remain calm in emergencies.
Candidates who process these skills will be well placed to excel in the role and will have the opportunity to work actively in preventing and alleviating cruelty towards animals.
How much does a Dog Warden / Animal Licensing Inspector earn?
Salaries vary according to employer and region and are dependent on experience. On average, salaries start from around £14,000 and progress up to £30,000.
How do you become a qualified Dog Warden / Animal Licensing Inspector?
All Animal Welfare Officers and Animal Licensing Inspectors must be suitably qualified. Whether you’re planning to work for a local authority or an animal charity, you need to be familiar with the welfare needs of companion animals and have a thorough understanding of current animal welfare legislation.
To apply for Animal Licensing Inspector positions you will need a qualification such as the Level 3 Award for Animal Licensing Inspectors that meets the Defra licensing requirements. This is the quickest way to gain an Ofqual regulated qualification that is designed specifically for those responsible for the licensing of animal related premises.
The qualification will teach you how to conduct an inspection of premises where companion animals are kept and how to provide advice regarding animal welfare and accommodation improvements. On completion of the qualification, learners will know the legal requirements relevant to the sector. Achieving this qualification will ensure that you are well placed to apply for a role as an Animal Licensing Inspector and will mean that you and the work that you do will benefit the welfare of animals in various animal related businesses.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more in depth qualification that will prepare you for the varied work of an Animal Welfare Officer then the Ofqual regulated Level 3 Diploma Animal Welfare Officer is a suitable choice. The qualification will provide you with the knowledge needed to work confidently as an Animal Welfare Officer and combines the learning required for Animal Licensing Inspectors. This comprehensive qualification contains information about understanding, recognising and responding to animal cruelty. The content prepares learners for a role as an Animal Welfare Officer by providing knowledge about:
- Welfare & care requirements for a variety of companion animals.
- Inspecting sites.
- Animal hoarding.
- Animal welfare issues & legislation.
- Animal first aid.
- Animal handling & transportation.
- Record & equipment keeping.
- Stray animal management.
- Advising the public about responsible pet ownership.
Achieving the Level 3 Diploma Animal Welfare Officer qualification will mean that you are well placed to apply for roles as an Animal Welfare Officer either with a local authority or with an animal charity. The qualification is a suitable choice for those wishing to apply for RSPCA Inspector positions and meets the Animal Activity Licensing (AAL) Regulations Higher Standard requirements.
For all related courses, training and qualification please visit the relevant course pages.
What does it mean to be ‘A Suitably Qualified Person’?
Job descriptions for Animal Welfare Officer and Animals Licensing Inspector positions will often state that the candidate needs to be ‘suitably qualified’.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued procedural guidance notes for local authorities required to license activities involving animals and the relevant establishments. The guidance for suitably qualified Inspectors states:
“All inspectors must be suitably qualified. This is defined as:
(a) Any person holding a Level 3 certificate or equivalent granted by a body, recognised and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation which oversees the training and assessment of persons in inspecting and licensing animal activities businesses, confirming the passing of an independent examination. A person is only considered to be qualified to inspect a particular type of activity if their certificate applies to that activity. Or;
(b) Any person holding a formal veterinary qualification, as recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (“RCVS”), together with a relevant RCVS. continuing professional development record;
(c) Until October 2021, any person that can show evidence of at least one year of experience in licensing and inspecting animal activities businesses.”
Where can I get a job as a Dog Warden / Animal Licensing Inspector?
Vacancies are normally advertised directly by local authorities and charities. It can also be worth checking for positions through the National Dog Wardens Association.
Registering with our Animal Job Board will give you access to the latest vacancies around the world and you can contact local authorities and animal charities near where you live with your CV.
Book a call with one of our career advisors and they will take you through training and career options within the animal industry.
