Proposal

Project Information
__Intended Project__ For my project, I will volunteer with both Spay and Save, Inc. and an organization called Finding Shelter. With Spay and Save, Inc., I will be volunteering at the PETCO located in King of Prussia. Here, I will be tending to the cats, which will include cleaning out their cages, giving them fresh food and water, and making sure they are content while waiting to be adopted. Spay and Save, Inc. is a corporation of all volunteers who make daily visits to PETCO in order to take care of these animals. Finding shelter is an organization that holds different adoption events for rescued dogs in different areas. I will work under one of the leading members of the organization, who will lend me a lot of information about the animals that they take in, how they care for them while they are there, and how they go about finding suitable homes for the animals. This will probably include getting close to the dogs and getting to know them well so that I can find people who will provide appropriate living conditions for that specific animal. While at these events, I will be making sure that the animals are comfortable and well-behaved.

__Project Outcome or Goal__ At PETCO, I will become more familiar with the process of taking animals in, trying to get them adopted, and transporting them to different places if no one adopts them from that place. This will help me see what animals have to go through, all for the sake of finding a good home. With the adoption events, I will be able to get a glimpse of just how cruel some people are to animals. Already having a sensitive side for animals, this will only further encourage me to help them find good, suitable residences with families who will give them the love and care that they deserve. In addition, I will inform as many people as I can about what I learn from my experiences, hoping to get people on my side to show them the reality that many do not recognize: animal abuse is a vital felony. Furthermore, I hope to provoke much interest in thought about making sure those who are adopting or purchasing animals from a store, shelter, or anywhere else are going through the right processes in order to secure that they can provide the necessities needed to care for another life. Similar to how adults must take multiple steps in adopting a child, people should have to take multiple steps in adopting a pet. This, amongst many other things, may help in decreasing the risk of animals getting abused, and as a result, decrease the number of pets that arrive at shelters.

__Project Completion Strategies__ While volunteering, I will make a documentary to document my time there, showing the poor conditions that the animals are in and help spread the word that they are in desperate need of care and/or a home. This will show people just how negatively both abuse and neglect affect animals, who, like us, are living, breathing creatures and should not be exposed to such treatment. I will also make sure to ask several questions, helping me learn more about animal abuse and cruelty to animals that will, in turn, help me conduct a solid experiment on these topics.

__Project Resources and Materials__ In order to complete my project, I will need various things. First and foremost is a video camera so that I can record the truth about what is going on inside of PETCO and during the adoption events regarding the treatment of the animals. But this might be difficult considering I will be working while at these places. And if I choose to go a different route, I will need a notebook or some type of recording devise so that I can keep track of my days spent at the shelter and how things progress as they go along. Thirty hours (at the least) of my time will be needed to devote to this shelter, and I will need the support and cooperation of those I am working with to allow me to report on what is occurring inside closed doors.

Research Information
__Research Topic__ The topic that I will be researching is the role of animal abuse and cruelty in society. I will be gathering information on how animals are abused, why animals are abused, and what role animal abuse plays in society. I hope to expose some hidden incentives as to why some people overlook animal cruelty as insignificant and consider it an essential part of everyday life.

__Essential Question__ Why is animal abuse and cruelty an issue that is overlooked by society and overpowered by other issues of the same or lesser degree?

__Prior Experience__ I have not had any prior experience with volunteering at / working at animal shelters or rescue foundations. However, I have had a good amount of experience working with and being around animals. Having a dog of my own, and dog-sitting for neighbors of mine, I have been able to develop a deep, passionate love for animals. This will motivate me in my research to help better the lives of animals and reveal just how momentous they are in our world. I have also been an online supporter of both the SPCA and PETA. Being a vegetarian, I have done much research and looking into how terribly that animals that most people eat are treated. Leading such a compassionate lifestyle has only further made me a better person and given me the drive to make the world, humans and animals alike, better.

__Benefits of Investigation__ If all goes well, my investigation should benefit the lives of animals. Spreading the world that many animals are in desperate need of assistance, love, and homes, I think that I can save some animals' lives. Furthermore, I think that my project will also help people recognize the reality that animals, who they seemingly care deeply about, are living in horrible conditions, even their own pets. This will help spread compassion amongst people everywhere and make them more aware that they are so many things that they could be doing to help others, which would, ultimately, make them feel better about themselves.

__Potential Resources__ Some potential resources for this research may be seen in my "Annotated Bibliography" section.