How to watch 'Animal Control' Season 4 online from anywhere — stream new episodes
Joel McHale’s animal control chaos is back for season 4, with a special early premiere already out and the show settling into its regular Thursday slot
Season 4 of Animal Control puts the Seattle crew under immediate pressure, thanks to a budget-driven precinct merger that forces longtime rivals to share the same workspace.
Frank Shaw and Templeton Dudge are now stuck side by side, which is exactly the kind of setup this show uses best: fast, awkward workplace comedy with real consequences when the job involves unpredictable animals.
Here’s how to watch "Animal Control" season 4 online from anywhere with a VPN.
Season 4 officially premieres on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
• Watch FREE — CBC Gem (Canada)
• U.S. — Hulu
• U.K. — Channel 4 (delayed release)
• Australia — Binge
• Watch anywhere — try Surfshark 100% risk-free
Add in Emily and Shred trying to keep their relationship under wraps, and you have plenty of fuel for misunderstandings, shifting loyalties, and the sort of small moments the series tends to land well.
The rollout is a little unusual, too. Season 4 opened with an early episode on December 28, 2025, before moving into its regular Thursday slot on Fox from January 15, 2026, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
Early reaction has been encouraging, with the merger framed as a “perfect refresh” that gives the show more emotional range without losing its bite.
Below, you will find the full release schedule and the simplest ways to watch wherever you are.
Watch 'Animal Control' season 4 in the U.S.
You can watch Animal Control season 4 live on the Fox Network, with the season premiere airing at 9/8c on January 15. New episodes are available to stream on Hulu (free trial) the next day, starting January 16.
There was also a special early premiere event on December 28, 2025, and the season’s regular Thursday slot begins January 15, 2026. If you are catching up, the season 4 premiere is already available on Hulu.
Cable-free options are also available, as you can stream the live Fox broadcast via services such as Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV.
Hulu offers a huge library of classic and current TV shows and movies, as well as acclaimed originals and movie exclusives. Plus, it's got the entire FX catalog.
You can try out the service with a free one-month trial, after which a subscription starts at just $11.99 per month.
Watch 'Animal Control' Season 4 from anywhere
Traveling and unable to access your usual apps? A VPN, or virtual private network, lets your device appear to be back in your home country, so you can securely use your existing subscriptions while abroad.
A VPN (virtual private network) lets you connect to a server in your home country, so you can watch "Animal Control" as if you never left. Surfshark is our top pick.
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Surfshark is consistently one of the very best VPNs we test. Its Surfshark Starter plan is also very reasonable at $1.99/£1.49 per month on the 2-year plan, with 3 extra months free. Right now, TechRadar ranks it among the very best free trials.
It's an excellent VPN for streaming and online security, and perfect for watching "Animal Control" season 4 from anywhere in the world.
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Watch Animal Control season 4 in the U.K.
In the U.K., "Animal Control" is typically available on Channel 4 (including streaming), but season 4 is not expected to be available on the same day as the U.S. premiere.
Hulu is not available in the U.K., which is why you are likely looking at a delayed local release.
Visiting the U.K.? Use this VPN to unblock Hulu and watch your usual stream from anywhere in the world.
Watch 'Animal Control' season 4 in Canada
In Canada, season 4 is available on CBC Gem, which is the series's primary streaming home, with new episodes typically added shortly after the U.S. broadcast.
Hulu is not available in Canada, and the show is licensed to the CBC for Canadian distribution.
Visiting Canada? Use this VPN to unblock Hulu and watch your usual stream from anywhere in the world.
Watch 'Animal Control' season 4 in Australia
In Australia, season 4 starts Friday, January 16, 2026, on BINGE, with a scheduled double-episode premiere. The show also airs on Foxtel’s FOX8 channel and is available via Foxtel Now.
If you are catching up first, seasons 1 to 3 are available to stream on BINGE or Foxtel Now.
Visiting Australia? Use this VPN to unblock Hulu and watch your usual stream from anywhere in the world.
'Animal Control' season 4 — Cast
- Joel McHale as Frank Shaw
- Vella Lovell as Emily Price
- Michael Rowland as Fred “Shred” Taylor
- Gerry Dee as Templeton Dudge
- Kyla Pratt as Daisy
- Ravi V. Patel as Amit Patel
- Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands
'Animal Control' season 4 — Episode guide
Season 4 is a 10-episode season, typically airing Thursdays on Fox.
- S4E1: “Bear Cubs and Broncos” (Dec 28, 2025)
- S4E2: “Bagged Birds and Alley Dogs” (Jan 15, 2026)
- S4E3: “Dragons and Dognappers” (Jan 22, 2026)
- S4E4: “Lost Dogs and Bar Flies” (Jan 29, 2026)
- S4E5: “Bats and Camels” (Feb 12, 2026)
- TBA
'Animal Control' season 4 — FAQs
Is this the final season? Not officially. As of early January 2026, Fox has not renewed or cancelled Animal Control for season 5. It is still positioned as a solid performer in the network’s main comedy line-up, but until Fox makes a call, season 5 remains a question mark.
Which guest stars are returning? Season 4 brings back a few familiar faces, starting with Ken Jeong as Roman Park, the dog trainer who always turns up at exactly the wrong moment. Thomas Lennon is also back as Frank’s older brother, Patrick Shaw, while Sarah Chalke continues her run as Frank’s girlfriend, Yazmin. Kyla Pratt joins the recurring cast as Daisy, Templeton’s new partner and resident conspiracy theorist.
What is the big season 4 shake-up? It is a workplace reset with real consequences. Budget cuts force two rival animal control precincts to merge, pushing cynical Frank Shaw and his longtime nemesis, Templeton Dudge, into the same office.
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Caroline is a freelance writer and product tester, previously working in roles such as smart home editor across various titles at Future, including Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, and TechRadar. As a technology and lifestyle expert, Caroline specializes in smart home tech, appliances, and more. She currently operates out of her cozy Suffolk apartment and is more dedicated than ever to helping people find the best products for their own homes.
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