Series synopsis
Animal Control is an American comedy television series that premiered on FOX on February 16, 2023. It was created by Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg, Dan Sterling. It stars Joel McHale, Vella Lovell, Michael Rowland and Ravi Patel.
A group of local animal control workers' lives are complicated by the fact that animals are simple, but humans are not. Leading the crew is 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. In his past life as a cop, Frank tried to expose corruption in his department, but his efforts got him fired, leaving him cynical and curmudgeonly. Despite his rough exterior, he is blessed with an almost superhuman abi ...
Premise
A group of local animal control workers' lives are complicated by the fact that animals are simple, but humans are not. Leading the crew is 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. In his past life as a cop, Frank tried to expose corruption in his department, but his efforts got him fired, leaving him cynical and curmudgeonly. Despite his rough exterior, he is blessed with an almost superhuman ability to understand animals.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Joel McHale as Frank Shaw
- Vella Lovell as Emily Price
- Michael Rowland as Fred 'Shred' Taylor
- Ravi Patel as Amit Patel
- Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands
- Gerry Dee as Templeton Dudge
- María Gabriela de Faría as Camila
- Kristina Capati as Realtor
Supporting cast
- Patrick Sparling as Ted
- Amanda Voll as Jen
- Jamall Johnson as Cop
- Jade Pawluk as Marine
- Rachel Dratch as Principal Smith-Wood
- Ken Jeong as Roman Park
- Alvina August as Dr. Summers
- Amanda Burke as Woman
- Amy Goodmurphy as AM Dispatch (voice)
- Elisa King as Wife
- Chris Nowland as Police Officer
- Neemish Parekh as Man
Guest cast
- Gerry Dee as Templeton Dudge
- María Gabriela de Faría as Camila
- Kristina Capati as Realtor
- Patrick Sparling as Ted
- Amanda Voll as Jen
- Jamall Johnson as Cop
- Jade Pawluk as Marine
- Rachel Dratch as Principal Smith-Wood
- Ken Jeong as Roman Park
- Alvina August as Dr. Summers
- Amanda Burke as Woman
- Amy Goodmurphy as AM Dispatch (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 44 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 12 | February 16, 2023 | May 4, 2023 |
| Season 2 | 9 | March 6, 2024 | May 8, 2024 |
| Season 3 | 10 | January 2, 2025 | March 13, 2025 |
| Season 4 | 12 | December 28, 2025 | April 23, 2026 |
| Season 5 | 1 | September 27, 2026 | September 27, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Weasels and Ostriches Shred encounters a wild weasel in an attic. Frank slips his Slim Jim in Shred's back pocket as they approach a dozen ostriches. |
February 16, 2023 |
| 2 |
Rabbits and Pythons A tech geek tells Frank his rabbits got into his special chocolate bars. Frank and Shred find a python wrapped around a man's neck. |
February 23, 2023 |
| 3 |
Cougars and Kangaroos Animal Control dispatch radios with a cougar sighting. Amit squares off with a kangaroo. |
March 2, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Raccoons and Mutts When Shred wallows over Emily's blossoming relationship with Rick, Frank decides to cheer him up with a special "Shred's Day" adventure. The group is shocked to learn Victoria is in a green card marriage, and her 'husband' wants a divorce. Emily spins out when she discovers that Animal Control Officers are not considered "essential workers," and Patel tries desperately to satisfy his pregnant wife's craving for movie theater popcorn. |
March 6, 2024 |
| 2 |
Cats and Monkeys Shred's on the rebound, but Frank doesn't share his newfound enthusiasm for dating. Emily enlists the team's help beating Templeton's precinct in an animal adoption competition. Patel stumbles on an investment opportunity, and Victoria waits on the world's longest phone hold to set up her citizenship test. |
March 13, 2024 |
| 3 |
Tortoises and Labradors Frank unearths an illegal animal smuggling ring while Shred's first night shift introduces him to the world of Furry parties. Victoria has a secret admirer, and Emily is hellbent on helping her figure out who it is. Patel and Templeton get stuck working together for the day. |
March 20, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Giraffes, Gorillas and Penguins The crew must contain a freak zoo break; Frank realizes that he needs to break up with Yasmin; Emily finds an unexpected benefactor in a celebrity businesswoman. |
January 2, 2025 |
| 2 |
Rattlers and Gators Afraid he won't play nice with her rich new benefactor, Emily tries to keep Frank away from her; Patel's newfound celebrity pushes Victoria's patience to the limit when he's chosen to throw out the first pitch at a minor league game. |
January 9, 2025 |
| 3 |
Goats, Snakes, and Dogs Frank is tasked with taking a dog to "the farm," but instead jailbreaks the pup to find it a new forever home; Victoria tries to teach Shred how to break the rules; Patel has a life-changing encounter with a therapy goat. |
January 16, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bear Cubs and Broncos Tensions erupt when the two rival animal control precincts are forced to merge due to budget cuts; Frank and Templeton clash during a bear cub rescue as they fight for control; Emily and Shred try to hide their romance from the team. |
December 28, 2025 |
| 2 |
Bagged Birds and Alley Dogs Frank spends the day with influencer and park benefactor Roman Park (Ken Jeong) ahead of the grand opening of their annex kennel. Friction arises within the newly combined precincts when Emily assigns Templeton, Shred and Patel to work together, while pairing Victoria with Daisy. Meanwhile, Emily and Shred find themselves in peculiar situations. |
January 15, 2026 |
| 3 |
Dragons and Dognappers Rob Gronkowski returns and asks the team for help rehoming a Zebra. Emily and Shred's first date goes awry when they unexpectedly run into Daisy and Patel on their night out. Meanwhile, Frank must defend Templeton when Templeton is accused of dognapping. |
January 22, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBA | September 27, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | FOX |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 16, 2023 |
| Last aired | April 23, 2026 |
| Runtime | 22 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Sunday at 20:30:00 |