Why Insurance Matters in Animal Services

Animal services are built on compassion and community protection. Every Animal Control Officer (ACO), shelter worker, and volunteer shows up because they believe in giving animals and people a safe environment. But behind every rescue, impound, and adoption lies something less visible but absolutely essential: insurance and liability protection.

Whether an agency is publicly run by a city or county or privately funded through a nonprofit, one fact remains: they must maintain liability coverage to operate. Without it, shelters can’t open their doors, officers can’t place animals safely, and the public’s trust is put at risk. Insurance is what shields organizations—and the municipalities behind them—from devastating financial exposure.

The Shifting Risk Landscape

Animal services come with inherent risks, especially when it comes to dogs with bite histories or unpredictable behaviors. If a dog with a documented bite history is adopted out and injures again, the agency could face lawsuits costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

For municipal agencies, this risk doesn’t just fall on the shelter—it extends to the city or county government, their risk management teams, and ultimately taxpayers. For nonprofits, the consequences can be even more severe, sometimes resulting in the loss of insurance altogether. Either way, once an organization is deemed uninsurable, its ability to place animals or even operate is jeopardized.

Waivers: Limited Protection

Waivers may seem like a solution for transferring liability when adopting out a risky dog. But legally, a signed waiver does not erase the organization’s responsibility—especially if there is prior knowledge of the dog’s behavior. Courts often find that shelters and agencies hold a continuing duty of care, no matter the paperwork.

For municipal agencies, the issue is compounded: liability waivers rarely shield government entities from claims. Ultimately, thorough documentation, risk-based decision-making, and full transparency remain the most reliable safeguards for both officers and agencies.

When Euthanasia Isn’t Optional

Behavioral euthanasia is one of the most painful realities of the job. But in many cases, it’s not optional. Holding onto a dangerous dog without a safe adoption pathway endangers staff, volunteers, foster families, and the public.

For ACOs, this reality often plays out in the field. Officers may be the first to document aggression, enforce dangerous dog ordinances, or testify in court cases. Their reports and actions directly affect both community safety and insurance risk. These are not cold or careless decisions—they are decisions made to protect people, preserve resources, and keep doors open for the majority of animals that can be safely rehomed.

What Officers and Communities Can Do

• Document Thoroughly: Clear, detailed reports from ACOs on bite incidents, behavioral concerns, and housing conditions create a strong foundation for risk management.
• Support Behavioral Programs: Training, enrichment, and behavior modification programs reduce liability while giving more animals a safe chance at adoption.
• Promote Prevention: Spay/neuter, licensing, and community outreach reduce intake and minimize the flow of high-risk cases into shelters.
• Be the Safety Net: Fostering, adopting, and volunteering—especially with pets that are often overlooked—helps relieve shelter pressure and mitigate tough placement decisions.

Why This Matters for ACOs

For most NACA members working in municipal field services, insurance may feel like an administrative issue outside of daily duties. But it impacts everything:

• If a shelter loses coverage, ACO impounds may have nowhere to go.
• Bite histories and dangerous dog cases create liability that must be carefully documented and managed.
• Government leaders look to field officers’ reports and testimony to justify risk-based decisions in court or council chambers.

Insurance may sit behind the scenes, but it underpins the authority, safety, and sustainability of every municipal program.

A Shelter Without Insurance Can’t Operate

It really is that simple. Insurance is not just paperwork—it’s the safety net that allows animal services agencies to save lives while protecting communities. Without it, there’s no intake plan, no adoptions, and no second chances.

As a profession, we must work together—field officers, administrators, nonprofits, and the public—to ensure shelters don’t have to choose between safety and compassion. With the right systems, documentation, and community support, we can give animals second chances without sacrificing public trust or officer safety.

NACA recently completed a groundbreaking two-day pilot program in Pasadena, California, as part of Field Forward – a program by NACA. The pilot was led by Lean Six Sigma Certified Board President Spencer Conover, Executive Director Jerrica Owen (also Lean Six Sigma certified), and Mike Wheeler, who completed the full two-day field services assessment. This innovative model combined a comprehensive department assessment with an immersive process improvement workshop, and the results have us energized for what’s ahead.

What made this pilot truly progressive was the shift from traditional policy review to hands-on, officer-led problem solving. Over two days, Pasadena’s animal control officers took the lead: examining their own processes, identifying strengths and challenges, and collaborating across roles to develop real solutions.

This wasn’t top-down training. Instead, it was a space for the team to think critically, share openly, and build a roadmap forward together. From streamlining response protocols to improving internal communication, the workshop sparked meaningful conversations and collective action.

Paired with the department assessment, which included officer ride-alongs for a true on-the-ground perspective, we gained deep, real-world insight into the team’s daily challenges and opportunities. Spending two days side-by-side with officers reinforced NACA’s evolving culture: working directly with professionals in the field to create sustainable, effective change from the ground up.

The workshop itself was shaped in real time by insights gathered during the assessment. Together, we explored what’s working, what’s not, and what practical steps the team can take moving forward. The level of buy-in, the depth of discussion, and the energy in the room made one thing clear: meaningful change isn’t just possible—it’s already happening.

And this is only the beginning. We’re excited to refine this Field Forward model and expand it to more agencies and officers across the country. Stay tuned!