Certification Course for Massachusetts Animal Control Officers

2012 Spring Certification Class will be held at:

 Boylston Police Academy, 221 Main Street, Boylston MA 01505

Class starts March 15th 2012

The ACOAM Academy is now closed for admission.

We have a fantastic course planned, and look forward to this new session.

This course is provided by the Animal Control Officers’ Association of Massachusetts (ACOAM) with the support of the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC), the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Massachusetts Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Society Of the United States, and numerous individual ACOs and others who give their resources, time and expertise to this course.

The ACOAM Certification Course has grown since 1987 into the most thorough, well - rounded program of its kind available in this region, and one of the finest Animal Control education programs in the country. This is an intensive course designed to pack as much vital information as possible into a limited time.

Subjects taught in this course include Equipment Handling, Animal Capture Techniques and Strategies, Livestock and Exotic Animal Handling, Wildlife Issues, Dog Bite Prevention, Animal Health Inspector Duties, Rabies Protocol, Local Bylaws and Ordinances, Conducting Selectmen’s Hearings, Record Keeping and Report Writing, Courtroom Procedures, Crime Scene Investigations, 4th Amendment & Exceptions to the Warrant, Cruelty Statutes and Investigating Cruelty Complaints, and Self Defense.

The course totals 88 hours over ten weeks. Class is held on Thursday of each week from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with one Saturday from 9-5. . The cost of $350.00 includes the NACA Training Guide, capstun certification, numerous informative handouts, one year membership in ACOAM and NACA (National Animal Control Association), and a year subscription to Animal Sheltering magazine.

Current members of ACOAM who attend will have their membership extended by a year. A shirt will be provided for each student on the first day of class and will be worn by all students during class.

In order to keep the limited class space available to those who will benefit the most, applicants who are currently employed by a city or town in Massachusetts, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, or the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be given priority.

Full payment for the course is expected on or before the first day of class.