Animal Abuse In PA: What's Left To Learn?

In my first Slate post, I wrote about animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania and basic facts. I also wrote about the data and number of cases. Currently, people post articles, videos, and blogs about cruelty to animals. This calls attention to animal abuse and shows how severe it is with physical evidence. A change is made even if only one person is aware of the situation, so when adults or children know about this issue and donate, volunteer, or help change it, progress is made. Change comes gradually, like with all issues, so any kind of exposure or article can help. One organization that I found to be the most impactful was the PSPCA. I also found a few sites that contained information that raised awareness about animal cruelty. From my ongoing research, I have learned that spreading awareness digitally to change this issue is effective. Every progression to an issue starts with awareness and then action can be taken. These methods are useful because the world is all online so bringing awareness digitally is the best idea.

I created a website and made a youtube video to spread awareness as my Agent of Change. I did this by using google sites for the website and using Vimeo, voice memo, and a screen recording app for the video. At the time, this was the best option since I had already created the video and it looked how I wanted it to. My experience was simple but frustrating considering both were easy to make but I needed to buy a plan on Vimeo so I used a screen recording app to create and finish it. I was able to make a change by showing people exactly what is happening and bringing attention to an organization that can make a real change. By creating something short and easy to understand, it’s more applicable to a wider demographic and people will pay more attention since it’s shorter.

My project was interesting and contained a lot of useful information. It reflected my feelings on animal abuse while also showing and explaining to viewers what the issue is and the facts and laws that are in place to try and change it. My project could have contained a lot more information, but this could become an “in-progress” thing for me to pursue. I felt motivated yet upset about doing this project. I think that this project was good at explaining the information out there about animal cruelty in Pennsylvania, but it is also upsetting that something like this needs to be mentioned in the first place. Knowing about this issue and continuing to learn more drives me to do more research and try and make a more impactful change. I learned that some people do unethical and morally unacceptable things to animals out of frustration, for personal economic success, or for something as simple as just wanting to because they find enjoyment in it. I also learned that I should do more to help abused animals than what is being done. I want to stay motivated by this topic so I can make more change once I am older.

I felt like I could have done the video-making process better. I also feel like I could have added more content to my website, which I might do over time. To make a change, I still have to bring attention to the cases of animal abuse that some people or police don’t see. Others still have to notice and understand animal cruelty and see how serious it is. Personally, I can still learn about specific cases and learn about how the issue has changed over time.

Above is my video. My website is here.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY