Humane Investigators

Humane Investigators in the state of Illinois must be:

• approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture
• sponsored by a humane society or animal shelter

It is an unpaid, volunteer position.

How to become an Approved Humane Investigator

• Obtain the sponsorship of a humane society or animal shelter prior to the exam.  Applicants may be volunteers or staff of the sponsoring organization.
• Study and be prepared for an examination on the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act.
• Complete an application, which requires:
  • a letter from a licensed humane organization authorizing the person to act as its agent
  • a list of qualifications of the applicant including education, training and experience
  • a list of references including at least one veterinary reference
  • a letter of recommendation from a veterinarian
• The sponsoring organization registers applicants for the exam.

View complete regulations.

The exam

• There is no fee to humane societies, shelters or their applicants to take the humane investigator exam, or to attend the pre-exam seminar.
• The Illinois Department of Agriculture conducts the Humane Investigator exam.   See the 2006 agenda for an example of how previous training & examinations have been organized.
• On the day of the exam, applicants will be asked which geographic areas they are willing to service.
• Applicants who pass the exam become Approved Humane Investigators.  
• Appointment as an approved humane investigator is for two years.

Then what?

• Citizens call the Illinois Department of Agriculture with complaints of suspected animal abuse and/or animal neglect by individuals (reports of abuse and/or neglect at pet stores, puppy mills, or other entities are investigated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture).
• The Illinois Department of Agriculture:
  • searches their database for Approved Humane Investigators in that service area
  • routes the report of suspected cruelty/abuse to the sponsoring organization to dispatch an Approved Humane Investigator for follow-up
• The Approved Humane Investigator works within the guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Agriculture in resolving the complaint.
• The right for an individual to function in the capacity of an Approved Humane Investigator may be terminated prior to the one or two year expiration date by the sponsoring organization or the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

For more information, to receive the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act in booklet form, or for examination dates, contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Bureau at:

• 217-782-6657

PACT Humane Society Sponsorship

PACT will sponsor any of our volunteers that we have worked with long enough to be comfortable that they will handle investigations professionally.  See our volunteer listings or email your questions to our President.