August 14, 2019

Research Assistant Working with ECU and Pitt County Animal Services

Examination of Pitt County Animal Services’ relationship with the community: What do people know and what do people want?

 

Position Summary:

While there has been a considerable drop in the number of homeless animals in the United States over the past decade, the problem has not yet been fixed.  Unfortunately, out of fifty states, North Carolina has the fifth highest euthanasia rate.  While spaying and neutering is the best course of action, not everyone adheres.  In Pitt County all animals adopted from the Pitt County Animal Shelter (PCAS) are spayed or neutered before they go to their new homes which has dramatically cut down on the homeless pet population.  While a great number of people adopt from open admission shelters, some do not because of the beliefs, or lack thereof, about the animals, people, procedures, and practices at these shelters.  Currently, PCAS has several programs aimed at educating the public, yet these programs are not well known nor are they assessed for efficacy.  Likewise, programs are in place to provide the animals with enrichment, yet they do not know if the public is aware of these programs.  The purpose of this research project is to assess what members of Pitt County know about PCAS, how they find out about available animals, why they adopt from shelters, and what they would like to see PCAS focus on in the future.

 

Location:  Minges Coliseum and Pitt County Animal Services

Supervisor:  Melanie Sartore-Baldwin, 152 Minges Coliseum, 252-328-4643, sartorem@ecu.edu

 

Qualifications & Application Process:

  • enrolled as a graduate student at ECU,
  • able to commit 10-20 hours/week as a graduate research assistant
  • leadership skills
  • interest in community engagement
  • minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • verbal and writing skills
  • completed the CITI IRB modules
  • passion for animal welfare and an ability to work with shelter animals

 

To apply submit a resume and Melanie Sartore (contact information above) for an interview.

 

Expectations:

Attend Student Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy/HNRS 3100, workshops held on selected Friday afternoons Fall Semester

 

Work as a member of a research team consisting of the faculty mentor, EC Scholar, and GA.

 

Complete research tasks as assigned by faculty mentor.

 

Specific Tasks:  Assist in a literature review of relevant information, collect data at the Pitt County Animal Shelter, assist in analyzing data, work closely with EC Scholar students and schedule their data collection times.

 

Start and End Dates:  August 19, 2019

 

Reimbursement: Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters @ $2250 for 10 hours/week each semester.

 

East Carolina University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and as such encourages applications from qualified women and minorities.

 

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at 252.737.1016 (voice/TTY).

 

Federal law requires proper documentation of identity and employability at the time of employment.

 

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