A.
SUMMARY
I have chosen the topic of animal rights, specifically the different places to get a puppy,
because as an animal lover, I believe that they should not be subject to any sort of
mistreatment when they are bred or adopted. Common ways to acquire a new pet are by
adopting through shelters and purchasing from pet stores or breeders, which tend to be
the pricier option in most cases.
I will use the following questions to drive my research:
● What legislation can be used in relation to my topic?
● How do the standards differ nationally? Internationally?
● Are there any other alternatives to breeding?
● How does breeding affect the animal population?
● How does breeding affect those in animal shelters?
For my project, I will hold a and donation drive to raise awareness and items for animal
shelters with the help of my consultant, Mrs. Disher, and the items collected will go to
the Virginia Beach SPCA. I will have 5 crates and/or boxes which people can fill with pet
supplies. Along with the donation boxes, I will also hang pamphlets to educate to those
who donate about the different ways people go about to get pets. For those people who
live out of the area, the VBSPCA has a wishlist on Amazon so that they can purchase
something that will be directly sent to the shelter. I will evaluate the success of my
project based on the amount of donations I am able to collect.
B. NEW SKILLS, ENHANCED SKILLS, AREAS OF GROWTH
New Skills
● Marketing/Advertising
● Networking
Enhanced Skills
● Research
● Communication
● Working with Microsoft/Google software
Areas of Growth
● Time-Management
● Self-Confidence
● Creativity
● Work Ethic
C. MARKETING PLAN/FACILITIES/AUDIENCE
My target audience will be people who have owned, do own, will own, or want to own
pets because they will have more understanding for the animals in need. These people
who love pets will want to contribute more for the benefit of the animals at the shelter.
The audience would benefit in knowing that their donation makes a positive impact on
the SPCA and the animals that it works hard to support. I will advertise my project using
flyers and posters, social media platforms, and word-of-mouth. For my different venues, I
will reach out to the managers of the PetSmart locations in Landstown, Hilltop, and Town
Center to see if they allow me to use their stores as donation spots. I am also looking to
have one box at First Colonial High School and another at Virginia Beach Middle
School.
D. PROJECT STEPS
Preliminary ● Talk to VBSPCA to find out the most demanded 4 hours
Steps supplies
● Contact PetSmart locations and schools
● Research
● Meet with consultant about plan
Midway ● Confirm venues 6 hours
Steps ● Design donation boxes and informational pamphlets
● Make flyers (paper and electronic) to advertise
Later Steps ● Coordinate the dropping off and picking up of 7 hours
donations
● Create excel spreadsheet to record donations
● Drop boxes off at venues
● Pick up and drop off donations at times previously
coordinated with venues
Follow up ● Thank you notes 3 hours
● Analyze and finalize data from spreadsheet
● Review documentation, preparing for panel
Total 20 hours
E. PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
● Screenshots of texts or emails regarding the project
● Phone log
● Videos of making the pamphlets, flyers, and boxes
● Advertising flyers
● Photos of the finished and full boxes
● Photos of donations
● Photos/videos of event
● Excel spreadsheet of collected donations
F. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
With the challenges that are ahead, this project will allow me the experience to learn and
grow from myself. I will be forced to step out of my comfort zone allowing me to
improve on networking, advertising, and time-management. I have not had much or great
experience with these skills which will be essential for me to use in life. While stepping
out of my comfort zone, I also hope to gain more self-confidence in myself while having
to coordinate and interact with others and orchestrate the project by myself. I am hoping
to gain these skills and become a more well-rounded individual, learning from my
experiences in the project.
G. PROJECT-PAPER CONNECTION
My paper will focus on comparing the use of breeding and puppy mills to animal shelters
based on not only the laws surrounding breeding, but it will also include the effects on
the animals both short-term and long-term. This paper will provide me some background
on my topic, giving me information to include on the pamphlets located at the donation
spots. The project will help highlight and spread awareness of the advantages and
disadvantages between breeding and animal shelters.
H. ACADEMIC HONESTY
I understand that any academic dishonesty by me on any part of the project will result in
failure of the Senior Project and forfeiture of the Legal Studies Seal on my High School
diploma.