Synopsis: Animal Control 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. (Courtesy Fox, 2024)
The Cast:
Joel McHale as Frank
Vella Lovell as Emily
Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands
Ravi Patel as Amit Patel
Alvina August as Dr. Summers
Gerry Dee as Templeton Dudge
Kelli Ogmundson as Dolores Stubb
Michael Rowland as Fred 'Shred' Taylor
Production Credits:
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), Jake Fuller (JAX Media) and Joel McHale. The series is distributed by FOX Entertainment Global.
The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (Fox)
1-01 Weasels And Ostriches--02/16/2023
Shred encounters a wild weasel in an attic. Frank slips his Slim Jim in Shred's back pocket as they approach a dozen ostriches.
Written by: Bob Fisher, Dan Sterling and Rob Greenberg
Directed by: Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg
1-02 Rabbits And Pythons--02/23/2023
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.
Written by: Bob Fisher, Dan Sterling and Rob Greenberg
Directed by: Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg
1-03 Cougars And Kangaroos--03/02/2023
Animal Control dispatch radios with a cougar sighting.
Written by: Bob Fisher, Dan Sterling and Rob Greenberg
Directed by: Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg Amit
1-04 Dogs And Bears And Minks--03/09/2023
Animal Control receives a 9-1-1 call on a bear in a hot tub. Frank questions his night with Dolores.
Written by: Emily Towers
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
1-05 Cows And Raccoons--03/16/2023
Frank and Shred respond to a call of a distressed cow at a fraternity house. Patel learns a wholesome detail about Victoria's personal life.
Written by: Jen Jackson
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
1-06 Skunks And Llamas--03/23/2023
Emily and Victoria assist Dr. Summers with an alpaca birth. Frank and Patel visit Frank's dad Jimmy.
Written by: Jim Brandon and Brian Singleton
Directed by: Chris Koch
1-07 Peacocks And Pumas--03/30/2023
Frank and Victoria stakeout a squawking peacock. Emily and Patel attend to Shred.
Written by: Dan Sterling and Tad Quill
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
1-08 Hellhounds And Sturgeons--04/06/2023
Victoria and Patel encounter Fish and Game officers while on a call. Animal Control dispatch radios with a report of an aggressive attack dog on the loose.
Written by: Sam Shankar
Directed by: Chris Koch
1-09 Dogs And Geese--04/13/2023
Animal Control dispatch radios with a goose on the loose. The precinct hosts an adoption day.
Written by: Emily Towers, Jen Jackson and Sam Shankar
Directed by: Chris Koch
1-10 Pigs And Minks--04/20/2023
The team welcomes back Patel even though he is still on suspension. Shred and Victoria are called into the principal's office on a school visit. Rick heads back into the field with Frank.
Written by: Dan Sterling and Tad Quill
Directed by: Robert Cohen
1-11 Birds And Foxes--04/27/2023
Frank battles with the idea of getting older when Templeton benches him on the basketball team. Rick asks Emily out on a date, just as Shred realizes he might have a thing for her.
Written by: Dan Sterling and Tad Quill
Directed by: Robert Cohen
1-12 Unicorns And Mountain Lions--05/04/2023
When the precinct's beloved mountain lion C-38 dies, Frank takes it especially hard. Shred tries to break up with Camilla before he ruins his chances with Emily.
Written by: Dan Sterling and Tad Quill
Directed by: Robert Cohen
Season Two Episode Guide (Fox)
2-01 Raccoons And Mutts--03/06/2024
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.
Written by: Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg and Tad Quill
Directed by: Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg
2-02 Cats And Monkeys--03/13/2024
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.
Written by: Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg and Tad Quill
Directed by: Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg
2-03 Tortoises And Labradors--03/20/2024
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.
Written by: Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg and Tad Quill
Directed by: Natalia Anderson
2-04 Big Dogs And Mini Horses-03/27/2024
Frank is frustrated when Emily, who is a stickler for rules, accompanies him on an official Animal Control ride along but she ends up being an unlikely partner in his exotic animal ring investigation. Victoria and Patel go on a call to a local baseball stadium, where they discover Victoria's unique talent could be just the thing she needs to get her immigration visa. Shred and Patel become owners of their flip house and want to celebrate by throwing a party – unfortunately they pick the worst possible day to do it.
Written by: David Feeney
Directed by: Natalia Anderson
2-05 Dogs And Chickens--04/10/2024
When Emily hires expert dog trainer Roman Park to help with the kennel dogs, Roman ends up disrupting the office dynamics. Frank is challenged for his long-held union rep position by Patel. Shred learns Bettany doesn't like him, so he sets out to figure out why and win her over. Emily must stand up to the neighbor who is complaining about the barking dogs.
Written by: Sam Shankar
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
2-06 Bunnies And Veggies--04/17/2024
When Frank gets frustrated trying to meet women on dating apps, he asks Emily to set him up on an old-fashioned meet-in-person date. When they learn how expensive contractors are, Shred and Patel decide to start renovations on their investment property themselves and immediately run into problems.
Written by: Jim Brandon and Brian Singleton
Directed by: Molly McGlynn
2-07 Skunks and Swans--04/24/2024
Frank and Shred head to a country club to take on an aggressive swan that Frank has a history with. At the golf course, Shred has a meet-cute with a mysterious woman. Emily makes a mistake that results in Victoria having very little time to prepare for her big citizenship exam. Patel enlists his father to help Victoria cram for the test.
Written by: Emily Towers
Directed by: Molly McGlynn
2-08 Bulls And Potbellies--05/01/2024
Frank and Emily get a break in their exotic animal ring case. Shred and Rick bond over their romantic woes. Victoria and Patel's father accidentally kiss.
Written by: Jen Jackson
Directed by: Clark Mathis
2-09 Beagles And Lemurs--05/08/2024
Frank's investigation reaches a thrilling conclusion, only for an unexpected twist to throw his victory into question. Emily finds herself in an awkward position when she realizes she still has feelings for Shred.
Written by: Natasha Williams
Directed by: Clark Mathis
Season Three Episode Guide (Fox)
3-01 Giraffes, Gorillas And Penguins--01/25/2025
3-02 Rattlers And Gators--01/09/2025