The application process started normally, with initial questions and a screening interview for a new position focused on companion animal expertise. I was then invited to a remote interview, and the position was later upgraded to a specialist role with a higher salary due to my 15 years of experience in companion animal welfare.
During the process, I was asked to speak with the founder, Ingrid Newkirk. At that point, the experience became very awkward. It became clear that her priorities for the role were not aligned with standard best practices in animal welfare or educational outreach. Instead, the focus appeared to be on campaigns focused on pictures of mutilated animals and media attention for PETA, including sending a severed cow head cake to Miley Cyrus, rather than on mission-driven strategies to improve animal well-being. She even asked me to drive eight hours on my own dime to meet her, which I politely declined.
Overall, while PETA’s mission is respected in some areas, this interview experience raised significant concerns for me about leadership approach and organizational culture, particularly regarding campaign effectiveness, alignment with industry best practices, and emphasis on the founder's media visibility over maximizing impact for animals.
