Parks and Recreation Episode 5.18 Animal Control

Pawnee has a massive pest problem in their town and it's mainly due to the fact that Animal Control is a disaster. Run by two potheads who are terrible at catching animals, the entire facility is woefully mismanaged. When Chris accidentally steps on a coyote trap during a walkthrough of the department, he fires the Animal Control squad and Leslie sets out to rehabilitate the program with new management.

Pawnee has a massive pest problem in their town and it's mainly due to the fact that Animal Control is a disaster. Run by two potheads who are terrible at catching animals, the entire facility is woefully mismanaged. When Chris accidentally steps on a coyote trap during a walkthrough of the department, he fires the Animal Control squad and Leslie sets out to rehabilitate the program with new management.

Ben has been trying to get some big businesses to donate to the Sweetums Foundation, and Tom secures him an interview with local "Scent Artist," Dennis Feinstein. Ben prepares the logistical side of his meeting with Dennis and brings Tom along to help with the schmoozing. Andy tags along as well, though it's clear he's just there to "learn" and by no means should he speak. In the meeting, Ben quickly realizes Dennis is a completely shallow jerk, but he has a lot of money, and Ben wants it for his charity, so he agrees to ham it up with the guy for the time being.

Leslie introduces the need for a new Animal Control regime to her fellow city councilmen, but is dismayed to find out new appointments work by a "dibs system" in city government. It's Jamm's turn to pick, but Leslie thinks that's ridiculous. She demands they all interview their own candidates and the group can vote on the best ones. But when Leslie and Ann begin their interviews, it becomes obvious the pool of candidates is pathetic. Besides the two original Animal Control workers reapplying, the always-creepy Orin shows up as well, and Leslie realizes she'll have to find a candidate some other way.

Ann brings Ron to the hospital against his will, and he proves to be a difficult patient. On his official form, Ron redacts all his personal information to protect his privacy, and when the doctor arrives he has little to work off of; nevertheless, the doctor finds Ron to be the best patient he's ever had, since he keeps his mouth shut and doesn't ask questions. The doctor gives Ron a prescription for penicillin after diagnosing him with strep throat, and within a few days he's back to his normal self. Ann says the only low numbers on his test results are his potassium levels - she suggests eating a banana every once in a while to help bring that up. In private, Ron discovers the only way he can consume a banana is by putting it in a burger.

During candidate vetting, Leslie realizes Jamm's compromising the integrity of their search by bribing candidates with dental work if they'll take the job. Fearful that the Animal Control department will be worse off if Jamm's candidate gets hired, Leslie begs April to be her nominee for the job. She'll have to attend the hearing in three minutes, but after a little prodding, April reluctantly agrees. After all, she is a big fan of animals.

Ben is close to closing the deal with Dennis Feinstein, who's astonishingly in the "giving mood." But when the group goes to the Pawnee Smokehouse to finish up their agreement, Dennis' jerkiness reaches unprecedented levels, and Andy can't help but call him out on his rude behavior. Dennis takes offense to Andy's honesty and orders them all to leave. The deal is off.

At April's confirmation hearing, the men of city council are incredibly tough on her and Leslie uncomfortably watches as the interview goes downhill. During a brief recess, Leslie apologizes for throwing April into the fire of city council. She wants to concede the position to Jamm's candidate, but April has one last plan up her sleeve. Back in the hearing, April admits she's not qualified for the job, but then again neither are any of the candidates. She thinks the Parks Department should absorb the Animal Control responsibilities so the city could save money by eliminating a frivolous branch of their government. It's a genius idea, and the council approves it unanimously.

Ben, Tom and Andy return to Dennis Feinstein's office to apologize for their rudeness at the Smokehouse. Dennis appreciates their gesture and gives them a $25,000 check for their charity. But when Ben opens it, the check is made out to "Go F*** Yourself", and he realizes they were brought in just to be humiliated. The three run out, but not before calling Dennis a jerk one last satisfying time. Later, Tom agrees to give five cents of every dollar Rent-A-Swag makes to the Sweetums Foundation. It's not Feinstein money, but Ben really appreciates his generosity.

Leslie is so proud of April's performance at the confirmation hearing that she promotes April to "Deputy Director of Animal Control and the Parks Department" - she even got a plaque made... well in all honesty she got it made during April's first week as an intern, because she knew she would be going places. Leslie knows government shouldn't operate on personal favors but on good ideas, and April's good idea is what won out on this day.