Heat Crisis for Dogs Prompts Unique Job Opportunity

New Position Will Involve Working With Elected Officials and the Public to Advocate for Forgotten ‘Backyard Dogs’

For Immediate Release:
August 12, 2019

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

July broke records as the hottest month ever recorded, and as temperatures continue to reach 90 degrees and higher, PETA is putting out a call for a highly motivated person to be its new local Community Outreach Liaison and help dogs left outdoors on chains or locked in pens without adequate shade or water. Since last year, there have been at least 104 hot weather–related animal deaths across the country—and those are just the reported ones. Most go uncounted. PETA has found dead dogs in this area this year, so we’re eager to find someone who can help us advance legislation such as chaining bans and use social media campaigns such as this new PETA video to spread awareness of the ways our community can help desperate dogs.

“If you’re a persuasive, energetic, highly motivated person who wants to help dogs and save them from extreme heat and winter cold, apply to PETA to lead our campaign to end 24/7 chaining in North Carolina and Virginia,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “The right person could be the key to ending this crisis in which dogs suffer in isolation and die after being chained outdoors without shade, water, or relief from loneliness, severe heat, or dangerous winter weather.”

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA’s job listing follows and is available here.

Position Objectives:

We’re looking for a highly motived person to drive PETA’s efforts and campaign to affect change for outdoor dogs. Your task will be to initiate and advance PETA’s outreach to the public and elected officials regarding the plight of outdoor dogs. In this role, you can expect to write to and sit down with decision makers and advance the issue of outdoor dog welfare via social media outreach and legislative efforts.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Oversee the development and implementation of various projects designed to educate citizens and officials about the detrimental effects of continuously chaining (and penning) dogs outdoors
• Develop and maintain relationships with officials and legislators in jurisdictions that have passed or are considering or trying to pass legislation restricting or banning chaining
• Attend and speak at government hearings to support and advance proposed legislation to protect outdoor dogs
• Develop and maintain relationships with veterinary and canine-behavior experts and animal control personnel who can testify to the humane and public-safety advantages of chaining bans or restrictions
• Research and pursue networking opportunities (e.g., annual conferences, receptions, training and education opportunities) in order to further PETA’s outreach efforts
• Seek media opportunities and conduct media interviews regarding the keeping of dogs outdoors
• Liaise with PETA’s Marketing Department to seek social media outreach opportunities regarding outdoor dogs
• Assist and motivate individuals regarding the initiation of legislative efforts in behalf of outdoor dogs
• Oversee and regularly provide input on PETA’s Web pages dedicated to educating and motivating the public on working to restrict and/or ban the chaining of dogs
• Review and track cases involving chained dogs in Community Animal Project (CAP) staff’s daily reports
• Assist with straw and doghouse deliveries, fieldwork and other departmental tasks, including animal care and feeding
• Participate in the Community Animal Project (CAP) emergency-pager rotation and/or the national pager rotation
• Travel when necessary
• Exercise sound judgment and confidentiality at all times
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor