Fox's hilarious workplace sitcom Animal Control has delivered the laughs across its first three seasons, and here's what to know about the Joel McHale series' third outing. Set in the precinct of Seattle's animal control, the series follows a jaded former cop named Frank (McHale), who responds to various animal-related emergencies throughout the Emerald City. Capitalizing on Joel McHale's easy charm as a sitcom lead, Animal Control has taken its simple premise and presented a thoroughly enjoyable slice of light TV.

Like most sitcoms, the critical response to Animal Control has been somewhat middling, but it has drawn a strong audience to the comedy-heavy Fox network. Though series set in a particular workplace are common, Animal Control is a workplace sitcom that goes above and beyond by spoofing the industry as well as presenting an exaggerated view of the types of emergencies real-life animal control officers face each day. The return of Animal Control season 3 in 2025 is a good sign that the show could run for years to come.

Animal Control Season 3 Critical Reception

Animal Control Gets Better With Each New Season

Animal Control season 3 was classic sitcom fun, even if it wasn't the most inventive thing on the small screen.

Though sitcoms are almost always ignored and even derided by mainstream critics, Animal Control season 3 managed to get some very positive write-ups. While acknowledging that it hardly reinvents TV comedy, Collider praised season 3 for increasing the humor without sacrificing the feel-good heart. Meanwhile, Decider echoed many of the same sentiments while giving it an emphatic "STREAM IT" grade. Overall, Animal Control season 3 was classic sitcom fun, even if it wasn't the most inventive thing on the small screen.

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Animal Control season 3 concluded on March 13, 2025.

Animal Control Season 3 Cast

Frank & The Team Returns In Season 3

In keeping with the sitcom tradition of strong ongoing ensembles, the cast of Animal Control remained consistent. The season 3 cast was again led by former Community star Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, the jaded former police officer who doesn't take his job at Seattle Animal Control very seriously. Aside from McHale, the rest of the main and ing cast returned to continue their various dramatic and comedic storylines. Though Animal Control is light on plot, continuity within the characters is what helps sitcoms work over multiple seasons.

The entire cast of season 3 includes:

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Animal Control Season 3 Ending & Spoilers

Wild Animals & Romantic Tension

As is the case with any sitcom, the ending of Animal Control season 3 didn't take any big risks with its storytelling. Instead, the finale was another humorous adventure with a few hints about each character's ongoing future. Romantic tension was ramped up to 11 in season 3, but the finale has left that pot to simmer for a little longer. Payoffs in sitcoms are tricky, and finding the right moment to make or break a relationship is absolutely imperative. As such, Animal Control season 3 doesn't explicitly set up season 4, but it leaves the door wide open for more.

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