A.BAGSIC 2024 NE TERRE VIEW DR APT 257 PULLMAN WA

Transcription

1 A.BAGSIC 2024 NE TERRE VIEW DR APT 257 PULLMAN WA June 17, 2015 Brad Goldberg, President and Director Animal Welfare Trust 141 Halstead Avenue, Suite 301 Mamaroneck, NY Dear Mr. Goldberg, The proposal attached is a request for funding to research the cause of pet abandonment and how to promote the well-being of the animal community in college towns. The research will deeply focus on finding ways to help animals and the betterment of their lives. It will consist of interviews with college students and others in the community and research into various ways of reasons for the problem. The results of the study will determine the best way to address the problem and solve it. I want to thank you in advance for taking the time to read my proposal. I am looking forward to working with you in the future. Cordially, ABagsic Alexandra Bagsic Enclosed: Research Plan Funding

2 PROPOSAL TO STUDY THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS OF WHY PET ABANDONMENT OCCURS AND THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR IT IN SMALL COLLEGE TOWNS Submitted to the Animal Welfare Trust 501 (3) Private Operating Foundation

3 Submitted by Alexandra Bagsic on June 17, 2015

4 Table of Contents Abstract pg. 1 Statement of the Problem pg. 1 Objectives pg. 2 Review of Literature pg. 2 Methods pg. 4 Facilities pg. 5 Budget pg. 5 Time Line pg. 6 Expected Results pg. 7 Evaluation pg. 7

5 Abstract For a while now, the pet abandonment issue in Pullman, WA has been increasing. There have been countless animals abandoned and left behind by college students after graduating. These animals are left to fend for themselves and often suffer a very lonely life. If the cause to why college students are leaving behind their pets after graduation is researched then the problem of pet abandonment might be stopped. The goal of this research is to find ways to define the problem clearly and develop a way to address it adequately by finding the psychological factors of these actions. This project will not take very long 6 weeks estimated. Even though it will be more than a month to achieve the outcome, it will not be very costly. In the proposal attached, there is a detailed explanation to the cost and budget needed to achieve this goal. Statement of the Problem Pet abandonment has been an issue for a quite some time. Pet abandonment is defined differently in each state but basically it is when an owner leaves an animal in a public or a private place without the intention of returning for it or finding someone else to provide the care it needs. A lot of individuals adopt pets without thinking of the lifetime commitment they are getting themselves into. Due to this reason, six to eight million animals are abandoned every year (PeTA). This problem is an ongoing problem in Pullman, especially for Washington State University students. Every year, thousands of students are graduating and leaving their pets behind either in the animal shelter or in the streets leaving these pets alone, abandoned, and neglected. Leaving these pets can lead to many different problems such as overpopulation and an increase number of euthanized animals as previously stated. Even when people think that they are being responsible by taking their animals to a rescue with a no kill policy, pound dogs on death row could have been given those lifesaving places instead getting put to death (Pet Abandonment). In addition, most of 1

6 these animals go insane from loneliness and confinement in the shelters so not committing to these animals for the rest of their lives can cause a long term problem in their psyche (PeTA). Leaving these pets alone is like leaving a man in an island with no one to interact with or talk to it would cause them to be socially retarded and often lead them to insanity. Many college students lack the knowledge that come with adopting pets. They lack to understand that adopting a pet means that they are committing to these creatures for the rest of their lives. In addition because most college students do not get their pets neutered/spayed, it causes more pets to be abandoned and neglected. It is often unknown who owns these animals. Individuals who only get a pet for college often do not get their pet microchipped. This makes punishing these individuals for the crime of pet abandonment extremely hard. Objectives One of the major objectives of this research is to determine the psychological factor of why college students continually abandon their pets after they have graduated. This determination will base upon the interviews conducted and consulting with a psychology professional. The second objective of this research is to help address the problem much clearer which will help find a solution to this increasing problem. By finding a solution to pet abandonment, it can help not only the animals but also the community. Review of Literature ASPCA. Animal Abandonment FAQ. 6 Febraury May. This source covers the frequently asked questions that individuals might have about pet abandonment. It covers what it is, the statistics, and the consequences 2

7 of abandoning a pet. This source is fairly accurate because American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is one of the top organizations that help abandoned, abused, and neglected animals out there. The information provided was very informational and provides a lot of detail for the research of pet abandonment. This can really help my research if I am contemplating about the rules and regulation of pet abandonment and it can also help me clearly define terms in a much comprehensible way. Pet Abandonment. December May This source addresses the problem of pet abandonment and its effect on the animal's well being physically and psychologically. It goes in depth about the causes and contributing factors of pet abandonment things such as puppy mills, breeders, pet shops, etc. In addition, it provides possible solutions to the problem. The author of this website provides a history of how she has been involved in these types of cases and what she has done in the past that makes her an expert in the topic which assures me that she did not just put the article together without knowledge in what she is talking about. Her intended audience is practically anyone the article really explores the issue in the US and in other countries in very deep details. Even though this article might not seem as reliable as the ASPCA and PeTA, it will be one of the best articles that I can rely on when I am doing my research because the research that the author has done is very well documented and detailed. PeTA. Companion Animal Overpopulation May This source in particular is extremely reliable, probably the most reliable one in my sources because it is by PeTA the largest animal rights organization in the world. It gives the statistics of pets that are being killed every year because of pet 3

8 overpopulation. They go into detail how one pet abandoned can lead to 48 strays/abandoned animals in as little as over a year. This can really help my research because if a renowned organization is releasing this information about the issue, it will make my research much more validated people will be more willing to put some time to listen and educate themselves about the problem. Winans, Carrie. MySecuritySign Unveils Pet Abandonment Signs. New York, 26 August sr=headline%28mysecuritysign+unveils+pet+abandonment+signs%29%2ba ND%2BDATE%2BIS%2B2013. This source is more about ways of avoiding pet abandonment. It talks about how this company has launched a line of pet abandonment signs to help inform individuals that it is illegal and promote better care of pets especially in areas where pet abandonment is much more likely to occur. The reliability of this source is pretty high because this is available in the scholarly articles that can be found in universities. It is a supplement to my research because it provides a way to inform people of pet abandonment without being overly intrusive. Also, I will be able to use it to depend my case that pet abandonment is a large problem that needs to be solved if a big company has released a line of pet abandonment signs, it means that the problem in relevant and is increasing. Methods Research pet abandonment in United States extensively, know the statistics of pets abandoned each year and how many die from it Research information of actions and other foundations being taken about pet abandonment Read articles and journal about pet abandonment located in the Washington State University online library. 4

9 Conduct at least 50 interviews of college students who have pets or have seen animal abandonment. Give questionnaires to 150 individuals that will help to understand the psychological thinking of college students regarding to having pets during college. Take all useful information from research, interviews, and questionnaires and analyze them extensively looking for patterns or similarities. Consult with a psychologist to understand better how college students feel in regards to having a long time commitment to animals. Determine and evaluate a solution that can be proposed to Animal Welfare Trust to fix pet abandonment in Pullman, WA. Facilities Facilities o Washington State University o Timberland Regional Library Budget Personnel I am the only researcher working on this study. My research and analysis fee is $10.00/hour. I foresee a total of 150 hours of work to complete the research. 150 hours x $10.00/hour $ 1, John Smith, questionnaire writer 1 questionnaire x $25.00 $ Dr. Laurie Smith, consultation fee: 2 hour x $75.00/hour $ Supplies and Equipment Questionnaire copies (150 copies of 2 page survey) 5

10 300 pages x $0.10 per page $ Computer paper 500 pages x $ per page $ hole puncher (1) $ Hi-lighter (2) $ 2.99 Pens, pencil $ 3.50 Binder (3) $ 5.50 Columnar pad (1) $ 2.50 $1, Time Line Overview: Research of pet abandonment..1 weeks Interviews and Questionnaires..2 weeks Compilation of results..1 weeks Examination and interpretation of results.2 weeks Details: June 22, 2015-June 30, 2015 library research, reading articles and taking notes June 29, 2015 start conducting interviews July 10, 2015 finish up the interviews July 12, 2015 organize questionnaire and file them July 16, 2015 compile the related results to research July 21, 2015 consult with Dr. Smith about research done July 25, 2015 analyze results and list solutions to pet abandonment 6

11 July 29, 2015 determine the best solution for the pet abandonment August 1, 2015 reevaluate solution and create plan of action Expected Results There have been many studies that individuals often adopt or buy pets while they are young and cute and often do not look into the long commitment that they are tied to. It is important to do a thorough and detailed research if this is the same reason that college student abandon their pets after they have graduated. I expect the result of my research to determine the main cause of pet abandonment based on a population s psychological thinking. Evaluation Once a solution is determined, it will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of it immediately. The most important key to this research are the results conducted from the interview. If the psychological factor of pet abandonment can be identified, the solution will be able to address it and it will help better the welfare of animals in Pullman, WA. 7