Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Joel McHale Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8 Preview: Squirrels and Fat Cats

Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8 Preview: Squirrels and Fat Cats

Animal Control, Previews

Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, “Squirrels and Fat Cats,” looks like it’s going to be full of confrontations for the pack.

It will be incredibly interesting to see how a break-in at city supply leads to Frank discovering that Emily and Shred are in a relationship. Those dots don’t naturally connect, but Animal Control is the show that can draw a line between them.

Community fans will be pleased to know that this storyline will stage another reunion between Joel McHale and his sitcom co-star. Of course, Ken Jeong last appeared on Animal Control Season 4 Episode 4, “Lost Dogs and Bar Flies.”

Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Joel McHale and Michael Rowland
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Joel McHale and Michael Rowland in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.

“Squirrels and Fat Cats” marks Jim Rash’s first appearance on the workplace comedy. Rash played Dean Craig Pelton on Community, opposite Jeong as Ben Chang and McHale as Jeff Winger.

This episode may also see the return of Patel’s daughter, Addy, who hasn’t appeared on-screen since Animal Control Season 3 Episode 1, “Giraffes, Gorillas, and Penguins.”

Related  Animal Control Season 4 Episode 9 Review: Bats and Camels

Then, Patel tried to use the zoo break to make himself seem cool to Addy and her friends. On “Squirrels and Fat Cats,” Patel and Victoria set out to confront Addy’s school bully. 

Here’s everything you need to know about this episode, including the air date, cast, promo, and how to watch.


Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8 Details

  • Title: “Squirrels and Fat Cats”
  • Air Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
  • Time: 9/8c
  • Network: FOX
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Grace Palmer and Ravi Patel
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Grace Palmer and Ravi Patel in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.

How to Watch Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8

  • Live: FOX at 9/8c
  • Streaming: Available next day on Hulu
  • The first three seasons are streaming on Netflix.

Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8 Description

Frank uncovers Emily and Shred’s secret romance during a break-in at city supply. Meanwhile, Victoria and Patel confront his daughter’s school bully.


Guest Stars & Returning Characters

  • Main Cast: Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, Michael Rowland as Fred “Shred” Taylor, Vella Lovell as Emily Price, Ravi Patel as Amit Patel, and Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands
  • Guest Stars: Gerry Dee as Templeton Dudge and Kyla Pratt as Daisy, Jim Rash, and Victor Turpin
Related  Yellowjackets Season 3 Episode 7 Review: Croak

Promo & Photos

Check out the photos from Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8:

Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Joel McHale
ANIMAL CONTROL: Joel McHale in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Jim Rash as Arnie, Victor Turpin as Johnny and Joel McHale
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Guest Stars Jim Rash as Arnie, Victor Turpin as Johnny and Joel McHale (C) in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Jim Rash as Arnie, Victor Turpin as Johnny
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Guest Stars Jim Rash as Arnie, Victor Turpin as Johnny in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Joel McHale, Grace Palmer, and Ravi Patel
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Joel McHale, Grace Palmer and Ravi Patel in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Joel McHale and Michael Rowland
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Joel McHale and Michael Rowland in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Grace Palmer and Ravi Patel
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Grace Palmer and Ravi Patel in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Joel McHale and Michael Rowland
ANIMAL CONTROL: L-R: Joel McHale and Michael Rowland in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.
Animal Control Season 4 Episode 8, "Squirrels and Fat Cats" -- Joel McHale
ANIMAL CONTROL: Joel McHale in the “Squirrels and Fat Cats” episode of ANIMAL CONTROL airing Thursday, Mar. 12 (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) on FOX. © 2026 Fox Media LLC. CR: Bettina Strauss/FOX.

Promo Video:

YouTube video

YouTube video


What are your hopes for this episode of Animal Control? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and be sure to catch up with our review of Animal Control Season 4 Episode 7, “Donkeys and Weasels,” right here.

Animal Control airs Thursdays at 9/8c on FOX.

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.

Join the discussion and leave a comment!