MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites those seeking appointment as humane officers and certified law officers seeking training in handling animal welfare complaints to join DATCP for the 2025 Humane Officer Training Program. Registration is now open for Annual Humane Officer Training, scheduled for September 22-26, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Madison.
This intensive 40-hour course, hosted in partnership with the University of Missouri-Extension Law Enforcement Training Institute, provides humane officers with the knowledge and skills they need to investigate animal abuse, enforce animal welfare laws, and support public health initiatives.
Course participants will learn:
- Laws and legal authority
- Search and seizure procedures
- Investigating animal crimes
- Recognizing animal abuse and neglect
- The link between domestic violence and animal abuse
- Evidence collection and forensic documentation
Led by experienced veterinarians, attorneys, and law enforcement professionals, the training is mandatory for all humane officers in Wisconsin within their first year of appointment.
Humane officers play a critical role in local communities by responding to complaints of neglect, assisting with public health programs, and ensuring responsible pet ownership through education and enforcement. In Wisconsin, any non-law enforcement person serving as a humane officer must be appointed by the governing body of a local jurisdiction. Humane officers provide a critical service to local jurisdictions by having the authority to investigate complaints of animal abuse and neglect. In addition to responding to animal welfare complaints, humane officers can assist in enforcing pet licensing requirements, animal cruelty statutes, and rabies control, as well as seek subpoenas, issue citations, and request prosecution. In many cases, education is all that is necessary, and the humane officer will work with animal owners to help them improve animal care and avoid charges.
For full details about the upcoming training or to register, visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HumaneOfficerTraining.aspx.
For more information on DATCP’s Humane Officer Program, visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HumaneOfficers.aspx.
