Cruelty Response Officer

Position Objective:
The Cruelty Response Officer is responsible for investigating complaints of cruelty to animals and violations of animal protection laws, collaborating with authorities, volunteers, animal welfare organisations, and other stakeholders to secure relief for animals and to pursue legal action against offenders. This role primarily involves cruelty case management, complaint drafting, investigations, coordination with local NGOs/activists, and active engagement with authorities to ensure cases of cruelty to animals are taken to their logical end. It also includes working with different law enforcement agencies to coordinate raids and enforcement action against illegal activities.
Term of Employment:
Full-time
Work Schedule:
Primarily daytime work, with work during evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.
Reports To:
Legal Advisor and Director of Cruelty Response
Location:
Mumbai or Delhi (The position involves a combination of office-based, field-based and remote work)
Primary Responsibilities and Duties:
Receive, assess, investigate, and respond to complaints of cruelty to animals involving domestic and wild animals, ranging from neglect and welfare concerns to serious offences, received via phone, e-mail, social media, and other channels.
Advise members of the public on appropriate legal and practical steps to address cruelty to animals, neglect, and other welfare concerns.
Analyse photographs, videos, social media content, and other evidence to assess complaints, identify potential violations of animal protection laws, gather information about the accused, and support investigations and case resolution.
Draft complaints, representations, follow-up communications, and other correspondence to police, forest departments, government authorities, housing societies, educational institutions, and other stakeholders/law enforcement agencies.
Work with law enforcement authorities, including police, forest department officials, and SPCA representatives, to secure appropriate action in cruelty cases, including the registration of non-cognisable offence reports, first information reports, and preliminary offence reports.
Coordinate with local animal protection organisations or volunteers to facilitate intervention in cases of cruelty.
Manage multiple ongoing cases simultaneously, prioritising urgent matters while ensuring timely follow-up.
Follow up persistently with authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that cruelty cases continue to progress and appropriate action is taken.
Travel independently across the country, when required, to meet authorities, attend court hearings of cruelty cases, conduct investigations, support rescue efforts, or assist with other case-related activities.
Travel and coordinate logistics pertaining to sensitisation cum training workshops organised in different parts of the country for law enforcement personnel across different government departments such as police, forest department, animal husbandry, and more.
Maintain and regularly update the department’s national database of volunteers, animal protection organisations and law enforcement contacts.
Ensure accurate and comprehensive records of all complaints, correspondence, evidence, actions taken, and case outcomes are maintained.
Professionally represent PETA India in interactions with members of the public, volunteers, animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, law enforcement agencies, government authorities and other stakeholders.
Monitor emerging animal welfare issues and identify opportunities for strategic intervention and advocacy.
Work outside regular office hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, when required to address urgent cases.
Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution. A diploma or certificate course in animal protection laws or animal welfare would be an added advantage.
Minimum one year of relevant professional experience in animal welfare, animal protection, and cruelty response.
Experience applying animal protection laws while handling cruelty-to-animals or wildlife cases, either professionally or through sustained volunteer work.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to conduct online research and investigations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Hindi; proficiency in additional Indian languages preferred.
Excellent drafting, research, analytical, organisational, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to deal patiently, communicate professionally and effectively with animal protection organisations, volunteers, complainants, veterinarians, law enforcement agencies, government authorities, and other stakeholders.
Strong problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and persistence in handling complex matters and driving them towards resolution.
Passion for facilitating law enforcement work, preventing cruelty to animals, and helping animals in need
Compassionate, responsible, self-driven and detail-oriented
Outgoing and personable manner with strong interpersonal skills
Adherence to a vegan lifestyle
Ability and willingness to travel independently across the country, as needed, to handle cruelty cases
Supportive position vis-à-vis PETA India’s philosophy and the ability to advocate for it’s positions in a professional manner
Commitment to the objectives of the organisation

Work arrangement
Hybrid