Humane Animal Law Enforcement Academy
Providing training in California Animal laws and animal care.
Each year San Diego Humane Society, in cooperation with the California Animal Welfare Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association, provides a Basic Animal Law Enforcement Academy. The Humane Law Enforcement Academy is intended to provide training in California Animal laws and animal care. This course can satisfy the requirements mandated by section 14502 of the California Corporations Code for appointment and reappointment as a Humane Officer (the final decision as to whether a course satisfies the training requirements rests with the superior court charged with confirming appointment or reappointment).
2026 Humane Law Enforcement Academy
The next academy is scheduled for May 11 - 22, 2026. Check back soon for more information or contact [email protected] with any questions.
The academy will be hosted in-person at San Diego Humane Society's San Diego Campus. All 80 hours of instruction must be completed in order to receive a completion certificate.
Instruction Includes:
- California Animal Laws.
- Investigating Animal Cruelty.
- Search and Seizure Laws.
- Laws of Arrest.
- Interview and Interrogation Techniques.
- Courtroom Demeanor and Testimony.
- Rules of Evidence (Chain of Custody).
- Report Writing.
- Civil and Criminal Liability.
- Child and Elder Abuse.
- Domestic Violence.
- Blood Sports Investigations.
- Equine Investigations.
- Post Mortems.
- Hoarding.
- Small and Large Animal Care and Handling.
- Avians/Exotics Care and Handling.
- Officer Safety.
- Mental Health/Compassion Fatigue.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
For Additional Information
For more information about San Diego Humane Society's Humane Academy, contact Lance McDermaid at 619-335-9511 or [email protected].
For more information regarding the requirements for becoming a Humane Officer, please visit calanimals.org.