This might well be the most bizarre job posting we’ve ever seen.
OMNI, a plant-based dog food company in the UK, is on the lookout for a professional dog poo sniffer, and is willing to pay one ‘lucky’ applicant £5,000 to sniff their pet’s excrement for two months.
In a statement issued via its website, the vegan-friendly company states it is looking for a strong-stomached individual to sniff their dog’s poop every day for two months in order to test the effect a plant-based diet has on their pooch’s digestion, energy levels and general behaviour.
The company said: "Given how much mixed and confusing information is out there about diets for dogs we understand there may be some pre-existing and negative misconceptions about feeding your dog a plant-based diet.
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"We hope that by hiring someone to transition their dog to a vet-formulated, plant-based diet - and analyse the effects that the diet has on their pup, both inside and out - we can take another step to proving the benefits it can have on dogs’ digestive health and general health, not least through their poop!
"For the role to be successful we will ask the owner to record their experience of introducing their dog to a plant-based diet, monitoring their bowel movements, stool odour, health, energy levels, behaviour, sleep pattern and physical attributes, such as weight, skin, and fur condition."
The job will pay £2,500 a month for an initial two-month period, with the successful applicant receiving both support from a dog nutritionist and a supply of plant-based dog food for the duration of the testing period.
“Both at the beginning and the end of the initial two-month period, the dog will receive a general exam from a registered vet to assess how the transition to a plant-based diet has impacted their digestive and general health”, the company wrote.
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In addition to the payment, the successful candidate will also be supplied with an array of sustainable dog toys and vegan treats to keep their four-legged friend happy between meals.
Successful applicants will also be required to fill out a weekly questionnaire and fill out detailed reports on their pets overall health, energy levels, behaviour, sleep pattern and physical attributes, such as their weight, skin and fur condition.
Shiv Sivakumar, co-founder of OMNI said: “We’ve had lots of feedback from dog owners who report that their dogs’ digestion, energy levels and general health are all improved once switching to a flexitarian or plant-based diet.
"Not only that, we are getting feedback that their dogs’ stools have improved in terms of colour, consistency and smell.
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"So, what better way to demonstrate this than by being willing to pay a dog owner to sniff their dog’s poop once they’ve switched to our brand of dog food?"
Applicants must be over the age of 18 and own a dog with a current non-plant-based diet. A strong stomach is highly recommended but not mandatory for the role.
You can apply here. Applications close on 31 March.
Tom Sanders