INTRODUCTION
We’ve just spent the last few weeks learning about statistics. Now you’re going to use some of that knowledge to think critically about what can affect the statistics surrounding animal rescue, rehabilitation, and rescue.
TASK
You’ll be researching a national, regional, and local animal welfare and/or rescue society. Your task is to find out as much information as you can from these societies and then use that information to create a social media project reflecting what you’ve learned and how you can help. The project can be a video, an extension of your Twitter account, a group event or fundraiser. Your group gets to decide!
PROCESS
Part 1: Before you begin your research, discuss the following questions with your group members.
1. How many of you have pets?
2. How many of your pets have been rescued?
3. What percentage of animals gets adopted each month?
4. Do you think there are certain breeds that are more easily adopted?
5. Do you think there are mitigating factors to what gets an animal adopted?
6. Do you think there are mitigating factors that lead to overpopulation of animals? (i.e. spay/neuter, breeders, etc.)
7. Do you think certain areas of the county, state, country are more overpopulated with strays than others?
8. What kind of social media, project, actions, etc. can we use to help bring light to this?
Part 2: Research the groups that work to help animals in need.
You’ll need to complete the data form as you research. You should also think about the following questions.
1. What different roles are available for people to work at these animal rescues, humane societies, etc.?
2. What are the differences in costs of adopting vs. getting a purebred animal?
3. What percent of animals that have been adopted get returned?
4. Are there other options for animals rather than rescues and adopting? (i.e. sanctuaries)
Part 3: Once you’ve done your research, your group needs to decide what type of project you’d like to complete. You’ll discuss and decide during class so that you can check in with me and get the “ok” to proceed.
Part 4: Complete that project! Once you’ve got the “ok”, we’ll have a few days in class to complete whatever it is you’ve decided to do. We’ll be working in class so you can easily get any guidance you need.
RESOURCES
I’m providing a list of a few societies that you can use to complete your research. If you happen to come across another that you think would be helpful, let me know and we’ll add it to the list.
National Rescues:
ASPCA, The Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society, National Mill Dog Rescue
Regional Rescues:
Northeast Ohio SPCA, PAWS Ohio, Cleveland APL, The Animal Rescue Center
Local Rescues:
Lake County Humane Society, Geauga County Humane Society, Close to Home Animal Rescue
EVALUATION
As you are completing your project, you can refer to the general rubric that I will be using for grading.
After you’ve submitted your project, you need to complete both the GROUP and INDIVIDUAL Google Forms to evaluate your group dynamic and let me know of any issues that may have arisen during your collaboration.
CONCLUSION
That’s it! Hopefully through this project you’ve learned a bit about the seemingly insurmountable issues surrounding (one small part) of animal rescue. Remember, if you’ve got your heart set on a dog or a cat and if you can, adopt don’t shop!
We’ve just spent the last few weeks learning about statistics. Now you’re going to use some of that knowledge to think critically about what can affect the statistics surrounding animal rescue, rehabilitation, and rescue.
TASK
You’ll be researching a national, regional, and local animal welfare and/or rescue society. Your task is to find out as much information as you can from these societies and then use that information to create a social media project reflecting what you’ve learned and how you can help. The project can be a video, an extension of your Twitter account, a group event or fundraiser. Your group gets to decide!
PROCESS
Part 1: Before you begin your research, discuss the following questions with your group members.
1. How many of you have pets?
2. How many of your pets have been rescued?
3. What percentage of animals gets adopted each month?
4. Do you think there are certain breeds that are more easily adopted?
5. Do you think there are mitigating factors to what gets an animal adopted?
6. Do you think there are mitigating factors that lead to overpopulation of animals? (i.e. spay/neuter, breeders, etc.)
7. Do you think certain areas of the county, state, country are more overpopulated with strays than others?
8. What kind of social media, project, actions, etc. can we use to help bring light to this?
Part 2: Research the groups that work to help animals in need.
You’ll need to complete the data form as you research. You should also think about the following questions.
1. What different roles are available for people to work at these animal rescues, humane societies, etc.?
2. What are the differences in costs of adopting vs. getting a purebred animal?
3. What percent of animals that have been adopted get returned?
4. Are there other options for animals rather than rescues and adopting? (i.e. sanctuaries)
Part 3: Once you’ve done your research, your group needs to decide what type of project you’d like to complete. You’ll discuss and decide during class so that you can check in with me and get the “ok” to proceed.
Part 4: Complete that project! Once you’ve got the “ok”, we’ll have a few days in class to complete whatever it is you’ve decided to do. We’ll be working in class so you can easily get any guidance you need.
RESOURCES
I’m providing a list of a few societies that you can use to complete your research. If you happen to come across another that you think would be helpful, let me know and we’ll add it to the list.
National Rescues:
ASPCA, The Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society, National Mill Dog Rescue
Regional Rescues:
Northeast Ohio SPCA, PAWS Ohio, Cleveland APL, The Animal Rescue Center
Local Rescues:
Lake County Humane Society, Geauga County Humane Society, Close to Home Animal Rescue
EVALUATION
As you are completing your project, you can refer to the general rubric that I will be using for grading.
After you’ve submitted your project, you need to complete both the GROUP and INDIVIDUAL Google Forms to evaluate your group dynamic and let me know of any issues that may have arisen during your collaboration.
CONCLUSION
That’s it! Hopefully through this project you’ve learned a bit about the seemingly insurmountable issues surrounding (one small part) of animal rescue. Remember, if you’ve got your heart set on a dog or a cat and if you can, adopt don’t shop!