Stray Dog Policy Researcher

What will you be doing?

Dog Desk Animal Action CIC is a UK-based animal welfare organisation working internationally to investigate and challenge systemic failures in the treatment of stray and free-roaming dogs.

Our research examines government policies, municipal practices, population management programmes, mass collection, confinement, culling and killing, and the consequences of these approaches for individual animals and wider dog populations.

We are looking for an experienced researcher who can work independently, identify significant developments and pursue investigations with minimal supervision.

Key responsibilities

• Independently monitor developments affecting stray and free-roaming dogs internationally, identifying emerging policies, practices and incidents that warrant investigation.
• Investigate government and municipal policies, legislation, enforcement practices and population management programmes.
• Examine evidence of systemic killing, mass collection, prolonged confinement, abandonment and other institutional animal welfare failures.
• Identify patterns across countries and jurisdictions, distinguishing isolated incidents from evidence of wider systemic problems.
• Locate, examine and critically assess official documents, government data, legislation, academic research, media reports and other relevant sources.
• Verify claims, distinguish allegations from established facts and identify gaps or inconsistencies in available evidence.
• Where appropriate and agreed, pursue enquiries with public authorities and relevant organisations to obtain clarification or additional evidence.
• Produce well-structured research reports, evidence summaries and recommendations for further investigation.
• Maintain accurate records of sources, correspondence and findings to support transparency and accountability.

Working independently

This role requires someone who can take ownership of an agreed research portfolio, determine appropriate lines of enquiry and progress investigations without needing daily direction.

You will be expected to exercise initiative, recognise significant developments and bring forward evidence-based findings for consideration.

You will work directly with DDAA's leadership, with editorial oversight and support available when needed. Sensitive external enquiries and public reporting will remain subject to organisational approval.

Our approach

Dog Desk Animal Action believes that effective and humane dog population management must address the underlying causes of stray populations rather than rely on killing or indiscriminate removal.

Our investigations are evidence-led. We are committed to accuracy, responsible reporting and examining the consequences of policy decisions for the animals affected.

The research undertaken in this role will contribute to our international monitoring, country assessments, investigations and public reporting.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced, intellectually curious and highly self-motivated researcher who can work independently and take ownership of complex investigations.

The ideal candidate will have at least three years of relevant professional experience in investigative journalism, public policy research, human rights, legal research, academic research or a comparable field.

Our work frequently involves examining government policies, municipal practices, legislation, official statistics and reports of institutional animal welfare failures across different countries. We therefore need someone who is comfortable navigating complex information, questioning official accounts and pursuing enquiries where evidence is incomplete or contradictory.

Essential qualities and experience

• Proven experience conducting independent, evidence-based research or investigations.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to recognise patterns, inconsistencies and systemic problems.
• Excellent source-verification skills and the ability to distinguish established facts from allegations, opinion and misinformation.
• Experience researching legislation, government policies, official publications or institutional practices.
• Excellent written English and the ability to present complex findings clearly, accurately and objectively.
• The initiative to identify emerging issues, develop research questions and pursue appropriate lines of enquiry without constant direction.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, traceable research records.
• Sound professional judgement, discretion and an understanding of confidentiality and responsible reporting.

Desirable experience

Experience in international research, investigative journalism, freedom of information requests, public accountability, animal welfare policy or human rights monitoring would be particularly valuable.

The ability to research information published in languages other than English would also be an advantage, although it is not essential.

The person we're looking for

Above all, we need someone who is genuinely comfortable working independently.

You should be able to take a broad research question, establish what is known, identify what needs further investigation and produce a well-supported assessment without requiring step-by-step supervision.

We welcome applicants who bring different professional perspectives, provided they share our commitment to rigorous research, factual accuracy and the humane treatment of animals.

You do not need previous experience in animal rescue. The ability to investigate complex systemic issues responsibly and independently is far more important.

What difference will you make?

Across the world, stray and free-roaming dogs are affected by government policies and municipal practices that can result in mass removal, prolonged confinement, abandonment and killing. Too often, these practices receive little sustained scrutiny, reliable data is difficult to obtain, and the consequences for individual animals remain largely invisible.

Dog Desk Animal Action works to change that.

Our international research and investigations examine not only individual incidents but the wider systems, policies and institutional decisions that allow harmful practices to continue.

We maintain a Global Dog Crisis Map, publish country investigations and monitor developments that may indicate systemic failures in dog population management.

Your contribution will directly strengthen this work.

By independently identifying emerging issues, investigating official policies, examining evidence and pursuing unanswered questions, you will help us expand the geographical reach and depth of our investigations.

Your findings will inform our public reporting, support evidence-based challenges to authorities and help bring attention to practices that might otherwise remain undocumented or unquestioned.

As a small organisation combining practical animal welfare programmes with international research and advocacy, additional specialist research capacity will make a substantial difference to what we can achieve.

This is an opportunity to contribute meaningful investigative work to an organisation that is prepared to ask difficult questions, challenge established practices and pursue accountability.

Our ultimate objective is to help bring about lasting changes in how stray and free-roaming dogs are treated, moving away from policies based on removal and killing towards humane, evidence-based solutions.

Anything else...

Approximately 4–6 hours per week, arranged flexibly around other commitments. Volunteer will manage their own research schedules and work towards agreed deadlines. Occasional online meetings will be arranged by mutual agreement. An initial three-month commitment is preferred.