November Staff Spotlight: Steve Schicker, Animal Control Officer

From a lost pet to resident encounters with wildlife, the Town of Penfield Animal Control Department is always busy. Leading the department is Animal Control Officer Steve Schicker who is the focus of the November Staff Spotlight.

Steve has been with the Town of Penfield since 2011, and for him every day is different, and each call is important. He responds to resident calls regarding ordinance violations, lost and found pets, suspected rabid wildlife, and much more during all hours of the day and night. In total, his department responds to roughly 3,000 calls for service each year.

One community member recently shared his experience working with Steve.

“He was professional, compassionate, kind, and extremely efficient, and we have become eternally grateful to Officer Steve for the help he provided us recently,” said Penfield resident Jim Carbone. “We could not be happier with how he handled this situation. He also let us know he would always be there moving forward if we ever needed anything.”

Steve has an extensive list of accreditations and certifications including National Emergency Preparedness and Animal Recovery, Security Awareness, First Responder Pet First Aid 1 & 2 by the Veterinary Medical Center of Central New York, and Animal Cruelty Investigations from the Central New York Animal Cruelty Task Force. He is also a certified New York State Peace Officer and instructor for dangerous dog investigations, evidence gathering, and successful writing of accusatory instruments for the successful prosecution for New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and other municipal officers.

Along with his work with the Town of Penfield, Steve owns and operates a video production business focusing on outdoor activities. He’s also a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

“Steve is an incredibly dedicated employee, and an important part of our team,” said Town Supervisor Debbie Drawe. “No matter the circumstance, he is always ready to help. I deeply appreciate all he does for our community, and we are lucky to have him.”