Preface

During the feasibility project I thought I had an idea about what I

wanted to do, and the route I wanted to take, I had my problem and question
laid out. After I did research the question I originally had become answered. I
started to become confused because I already put so much work and found
so much information but my answer was already answered. I thought our
project was about figuring out a problem that wasnt solved yet, and coming
up with a reasonable solution to the problem that could be solved or
eventually solved. Thats one thing that I didnt like about my personal
project. Also my topic was fairly straightforward so it was difficult to find
multiple sources that were different from each other. On the plus side it
helped me look into sources and expand my topic to find multiple sources
and opinions. For my peer review session it didnt really help me, I never got
a partner. Everyone who sat next to me already had one so I had to get
revisions from other people outside of the class. I love getting revisions
because sometimes you cant see things other people can. The one thing
Im very proud of with my project is that I stuck with it and was actually very
interested in it. I put a lot of effort and time into so I am proud with the final
piece. All in all I actually enjoyed the project even though some parts were
difficult. I am also very appreciative for being to have extended time to work
on my project so I can get all of the information I can into my project.

Moriah Lide
UWRT 1102-009
November 10, 2015
Save the Animals
Introductions: I chose to do my research on the treatment of animals due to
overcrowding and extended stays in shelters. Ive realized its a problem that
is understated since animals are not a major concern to people. Its
important for shelters to find better ways in how to deal with animals that
are in the way or have been in the shelter for too long. My research
question is what are some ways animal shelters can better handle animals
they dont have room for or animals who arent popular enough to get
adopted, instead of putting them to sleep? I think my project will be relevant
to people who agree more attention should be brought to the circumstances
of animals in shelters, the more people the greater chance of difference
being made. Ive also found out that the people that regulate the shelters,
determining when euthanizing is allowed, and the people who deal with laws
that allow the shelters to do what they do would be relevant to my project.
Many people would think the process used in most shelters is important or

necessary to prevent overcrowding and putting helpless animals out of their

miseries, such euthanizing animals that have become too old or animals that
cannot fit in the shelter due to not enough space, but in many eyes its
inhumane and people need to realize the importance of the care of animals
in shelters and changes, for the process of housing animals in shelters and
the euthanizing process, need to be made. Many people in my group in class
didnt know much about what happens to many animals in shelters due to
overcrowding or old age, which made me realize my project will help bring
knowledge to people who dont quite understand or know any information so
changes can be made. I also asked a couple of people on campus how they
felt about the situation, not many people knew about it. A lot of people said
it wasnt a major concern but after hearing about it they realized there
should be change.
Narrative/Problem: There are multiple terms when it comes to animal
shelters, no-kill is an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable
animals even when the shelter is full, reserving euthanasia for terminally ill
animals or those considered dangerous to public safety (Wikipedia.org).
Low-kill also known as a limited admission shelter, A Limited Admission
shelter only euthanizes for severe medical or behavioral reasons. And a Killshelter is shelters that are often forced to euthanize based on duration of
stay in order to have enough cage space available to accept all animals.
(Pet360.com) The variety of labels on the shelters and the meaning behind
them cause a controversy on whether euthanasia is ethical or not ethical?

Should animals be killed for simple reasons such as overcrowding or old age?
Shelters that are for euthanizing do so, to prevent illnesses from spreading,
and to allow room for more/all animals, even though the choice to euthanize
to allow more animals is ironic (Pet360). The idea to not euthanize due to
overcrowding and age is presented in no kill shelters. Although no kill
shelters titles state no killing they still sometimes euthanize animals for a
variety of reasons. The no-kill title is believed to be a marketing tool, but
with a hidden message (npr.org). This problem mainly addresses to the
animals themselves since they dont have a voice to make the decision for
themselves or defend themselves.

Many questions form such as; who is to decide the fate of the animals?

https://www.facebook.com/nokillcoal
ition/photos/a.175594389163470.44
How
do shelters get to decide the outcome of stray animals that were not
562.162378977151678/710415912

brought to them, but found? How were these terms decided? In an interview
with my Aunt Kim Pfenninger, who is a vet and has much experience with the
rules of shelters and the euthanasia process, she stated that once an animal
is brought to the shelter or found and determined homeless the shelter has
legal rights to the animal. She also stated When it comes to euthanizing
some shelters that are business owned have no choice but to follow what
they are told, most shelters are family owned and procedures and decisions
are determined by the owner.

Many consequences form from kill shelters; such as deaths of

many innocent animals, many shelters receive specialty animals and killing
some may risk extinction. Although no-kill shelters do sometimes kill animals
for medical reasons they still acquire consequences. Since no kill shelters
avoid killing animals due to overcrowding, age or any other reason (except to
put a dying animal out of misery) health and safety affect are concerns in the
shelter for animals and the workers (Pet360.com). Since they dont kill
animals that have not yet been adopted, many animals are turned down and
left on the streets due to unavailable space. Many solutions can address
these consequences.
Solutions/Results/Evaluation: Animal rights in shelters and other scenarios
have already been brought up in discussions and laws, are differences
have/are already being made. But many more changes could be made to
better the animals lives in these shelters. The American Humane Association,
AHA, provided a specific solution to address the issue of overcrowding. They
insist all animals, everywhere, when they reach a specific age should be
spayed and neutered. Having animals spay/neutered lowers the population
of animals decreasing the chances of strays, which leads to a lower rate of
animals in shelters (americanhumane.org). To have this procedure
implemented, laws should be passed around that country ordering the
spaying and neutering of adoptable animals. Another major solution is to
provide more awareness towards the situation of animals in shelters. The
more people that catch on and spread the word the greater the chance of

bigger changes being made, such as completely abolishing the idea of killing
in shelters. Awareness could be spread easily through social media pages,
news, articles and journal entries. A major benefit from spreading awareness
would be the chances of gaining more foster volunteers. Animals that need
more attention or training in becoming acceptable to being adopted should
be put in foster care instead of put to death. This not only allows the animals
to be adopted that are healthy and fully capable of being adopted but also
prevents overcrowding in shelters and
allows the animals that need medical attention to get the full all around
atten
-tion they can receive. Again spreading awareness throughout a variety of
sources
allows for more people to volunteer as foster caregivers. Another major
https://www.facebook.com/nokillcoalitio

solution

n/photos/a.175594389163470.44562.1

that could eventually eliminate the idea of euthanasia on unwanted animals

is to take better adoption photos of the animals in the shelters. Many photos
make the animals look less inviting and sometimes not very attractive,
although sometimes the timid scared looks wheel people into adopt them.
Many people assume the animal is shy and not very friendly, when it could
be completely opposite. Shelters can fix this by taking adoption photos while
the animals are playing with each other or doing things that excites them, so
adoptees can get a better feel for the animals (facebook.com/nokillcoalition).
https://www.facebook.com/nokillcoaliti
on/photos/a.175594389163470.44562
.162378977151678/71041591234797

Initiating this solutions will be a win win for everyone involved. The
animals will be rescued and not put to cruel inhumane deaths; the shelters
will gain respect, acknowledgement, and financial increase from the increase
in adoptions; and people adopting will receive an animal that was given a
second chance. The impact on the solutions may even reduce the deaths of
strays on the streets, less strays means less animals accidentally getting hit
by cars and sometimes creating serious or deadly accidents. The main cause
for change is spreading awareness, because more people are becoming
aware of the situation of animals in shelters; protests are being exhibited,
laws are being created and less shelters are being titled kill shelters. A result
of some of these solutions, such as protesting spreading awareness and
demanding changes was taken place in Florida. The Companion Animal
Protection Act was created, which makes it illegal to kill animals if there are
empty cages or kennels, if animals can share a cage or kennel with another
animal, if a foster home is available, if a rescue group is willing to take the
animal, if an animal can be transferred to another shelter, if the animal can
be sterilized and released, and more. Similar laws in other states save nearly
50,000 animals a year, have reduced killing statewide by 78%, have led to
save rates of 94% and higher, and have cut millions of dollars in wasteful
spending (flsenate.gov).
Conclusion/Reccommendation: The under acknowledgement of the care of
animals in shelters is deeply understated. Although there are many animals
on earth, specifically speaking cats and dogs, and it may seem like killing

some wont make a difference, it does. All animals were given a chance to
roam the earth and die from natural causes not from humans forcing death
upon them. Animal rights are just as important as human rights and should
be even more talked about since animals are not able to defend themselves.
Killing of animals for unethical reasons such as; overcrowding, age and
having not been adopted yet, is inhumane and can easily be avoided. The
solutions I have developed not only help and save the animals but in no way
drag down shelters. It creates positive results for all involved.

https://www.facebook.com/215126885268588/photos/p
b.215126885268588.-

Works Cited
Allen, Greg. "No-Kill Shelters Save Millions Of Unwanted Pets - But Not All Of
Them." NPR. NPR,
31 Dec. 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2015. www.npr.org

"Facebook Photos." No Kill Coalition. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.

<https://www.facebook.com/nokillcoalition/photos/a.175594389163470.4456
2.162378
977151678/710415912347979/?type=3&theater>.

"HB 71." Flsenate.gov. Florida House of Representatives, n.d. Web. 17 Nov.

2015.
<http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2016/0071/BillText/Filed/PDF>.

Kelly, Jackie. "Kill Shelters vs. No Kill Shelters." Pet360. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.pet360.com/dog/adoption/kill-shelters-vs-low-kill-and-no-killshelters/eC_zmPaWME-mF0Gn95SijQ>.
"No-Kill Shelter." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-kill_shelter>.

"Pet Overpopulation." American Humane Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2015.
http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/issues-information/pet-

overpopulation.html