Samantha Sorak started as Fulton County animal control officer on April 1. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Fulton County Animal Control Officer Samantha Sorak is working her “dream job.”

“I had a childhood dream of being an animal control officer,” she said.

Sorak, of Rochester, has served in that role since April 1, replacing Calista Kelley.

She’s originally from Chicago, Ill., and graduated from Rich East High School in Park Forest, Ill. Sorak has lived in the Fulton County area for nine years.

She just finished her EMT certification through Ivy Tech Community College, having planned to enter the field before the animal control officer job opened up.

“I just enjoy helping in general, whether it be humans or animals,” she said.

As a child, Sorak thought she’d work for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Previously to becoming animal control officer, she worked at a veterinarian’s office and was a kennel worker “for a couple of years.” She also did pet grooming.

As animal control officer, Sorak responds to bite scenes and helps corral loose animals.

“If people are concerned, whether they think an animal has been neglected or abused, I’ll go and investigate that,” she added.

Sorak also enforces animal ordinances throughout the county, noting in Rochester people may only have a set amount of animals.

She ensures that there’s no animal “hoarding, no unnecessary breeding, kind of making sure everybody’s got their vaccinations up to date.”

She deals with any domesticated animals, with wild animals like raccoons, possums and the like falling under the jurisdiction of Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ officers.

Sorak has had instances like taking care of a baby squirrel for a time before turning it over to the DNR.

She said she likes “being the voice” for animals in need.

“It can be very rewarding, especially when the end result pays off when justice is served or just the animal in general is in an overall better condition,” said Sorak. “We’ve had some dogs that have come in very poorly or very aggressively, and just completely over time, over trust and feeding and just proper care, have made it full circle and have been adopted out or we see their stories where they’re just blossoming.”

She said her job is difficult when the animals she works with have to be put down.

Sorak noted people wanting to be animal control officers “have to have thick skin and a thick stomach” for what they deal with sometimes.

“At the end of the day knowing that you made a difference is enough to go to sleep at night, and that is just beyond rewarding,” she said.

Sorak is married to Jon Sorak. They have a son, Landon, and three dogs: Butters, Bella and Peaches.

In her spare time, Sorak likes being at the Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center, “helping the girls there.”