Animal Control: Wild Comedy off the Leash
When animal routines collide with human absurdity, Animal Control delivers hearty laughs alongside genuine heart. Centered on a plucky municipal animal control squad, the series takes viewers behind the kennel doors and into calls that range from comical to poignant—underscoring the unpredictable bond between humans and their furry (and feathered) friends.
đź””Animal Control Season 3 premiere date: January 2, 2025 đź””
At the helm is Officer Sheryl Buckman, a no‑nonsense veteran whose dogged professionalism masks a soft spot for every stray pup. Paired reluctantly with rookie partner Dax Flores—whose reckless enthusiasm leads to more than a few flooded fish tanks—the duo responds to citizen reports of escaped llamas, backyard piranha ponds, and elusive raccoon capers in suburban attics. Their daily grind—trapping, rescuing, and occasionally performing emergency roadside neuters—is punctuated by the team’s offbeat personalities.
Supporting characters include the office’s dispatch coordinator, Nina—a razor‑tongued former lawyer who treats every “barking complaint” with comedic exasperation—and mechanic‑turned‑handler Todd, whose gentle giant frame belies a knack for calming terrified pit bulls. Each episode introduces new creatures and new challenges: a runaway macaw reciting Shakespeare, a mischievous capuchin with a taste for stolen sandwiches, or an aristocratic peacock turning public parks into catwalks.
Beneath the slapstick rescues, Animal Control explores broader themes of compassion and responsibility. An owner’s refusal to vaccinate their puppy sparks debates about community health; an aging veterinarian’s bittersweet retirement brings the team face to face with their own career uncertainties; and a recurring storyline about humane relocation of wildlife questions the line between control and cruelty.
Visually, the show thrives on kinetic comedy: low‑angle shots of officers wrestling with oversized animal carriers, slow‑motion sequences capturing mid‑air cat jumps, and close‑ups of nose‑to‑camera canine “selfies” that melt hearts. The soundscape—barking choruses, squawking interludes, and frantic hamster wheel squeaks—serves as a riotous underscore to the ensemble’s banter.
With its blend of physical humor and sincere portrayals of animal welfare, Animal Control crafts a world where every rescue is a mini‑saga and every officer’s quip carries genuine warmth. Over the course of the season, the crew forms ragtag bonds—celebrating successful adoptions, commiserating over injured strays, and hosting impromptu “pet therapy” for stressed‑out colleagues.
Why Animal Control Resonates
-
Joyful Warmth: Balances uproarious comedy with heartfelt moments of animal rescue and human kindness.
-
Ensemble Chemistry: A quirky team brings diverse perspectives to the wild world of municipal animal services.
-
Topical Themes: Tackles responsible pet ownership, wildlife conservation, and community empathy.
—
—
About Animal Control TV Series
Follows a group of local Animal Control workers whose lives are complicated by the fact that animals are simple, but humans are not. McHale stars as Frank, an opinionated, eccentric Animal Control officer who may not have gone to college but is still the most well-read person in the room. A former cop, Frank tried to expose corruption in his department, but his efforts got him fired, which may explain why he's so cynical and curmudgeonly. He has an almost superhuman ability to understand animals. Humans...not so much. Frank is assigned a new partner, Fred "Shred" Taylor (newcomer Michael Rowland), an optimistic rookie Animal Control officer. They both report into their sweet-natured and endearingly awkward boss Emily Price (Vella Lovell, Mr. Mayor). Amit Patel (Ravi Patel, Master of None) and Victoria Sands (Grace Palmer, Shortland Street) are also partners in the Animal Control office - though they could not be more opposite. Rounding out the precinct is veterinarian Dr. Summers (Alvina August, The Boys), receptionist Dolores Stubb (Kelli Ogmundson, Cavendish) and Templeton Dudge (Gerry Dee, Mr. D), an Animal Control officer from a neighboring precinct with a real chip on his shoulder. Animal Control is produced by FOX Entertainment Studios and executive-produced by Bob Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Sirens, The Moodys), Rob Greenberg (Frasier, How I Met Your Mother, The Moodys), Dan Sterling (Long Shot, The Interview, Girls, The Office, King of the Hill), Tad Quill (Scrubs, The Moodys) and McHale.
First episode date: February 16, 2023
Network: FOX
Show type: Sitcom
Status: Renewed
Upcoming TV Premieres
