Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2021

Date: 16 February 2021

Name: Makena Nera
Central Question: Why are animal shelters so important?
Thesis: Animal shelters play an important role in society and we should support them by raising money and
donating much needed supplies.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #1 What is the problem?

Excerpts:
In the article, Atwood explains that “species that evolved here evolved without land predators. So a ground nesting
bird has almost no defenses against a cat.”

According to the Hawaiian Humane Society, “neutering and spaying programs are the only appropriate means of
population control.”

Dr. Littnan, who led NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Program, explains why volunteers are necessary: “volunteers
perform a vital function.” “They become experts, first responders, and the primary outreach workers ensuring the
safety of these animals.”

Commentary and Analysis:

This article explains how there are so much pets and wildlife that are scattered around the island. There are
different arguments as to what should be done about that problem. They talk about one specific place where there are
so much cats in one area. The Hawai’i Kai Park and Ride is filled with many different cats that just linger in that area
for long periods of time. There are volunteers that watch over these cats and even the residents have adopted some of
them. However, Hawai’i has a unique ecosystem and these cats may pose problems for other endangered wildlife in
Hawai’i.
There has been worry that these cats may be a carrier of toxoplasma, a deadly parasite to the Hawaiian Monk
Seals, another endangered species. Arguments have been made where residents and even scientists wanted an official
culling of the stray cat population, which is basically slaughter in a way. However, the Hawaiian Humane Society is
strict on the fact that neutering and spaying is the only appropriate way to control this situation.
It is not surprising that tourists love to sight see and go to areas where they can see wildlife up close. They will
literally go to certain areas and reach out to touch them, which is not tolerated here in Hawai’i. For example, sea turtles
and Hawaiian Monk Seals love to come up on shore to bathe in the sun. That attracts the tourists and for some reason,
they have a very strong urge to touch them even though there are signs posted saying not to. Residents of Hawai’i have
decided to protect the animals from anybody tempted to touch and bother them. Volunteers have decided to take turns
watching the beach making sure they aren’t being bothered. Taking care of these animals not only benefits them, but if
benefits the people as well.

MLA Work Cited:

“A Tabby by Any Other Name: In Hawaii, a Debate over What's Wild.” The Christian Science Monitor. The
Christian Science Monitor. 14 Aug. 2019.
This is a reputable and reliable article because it uses many different sources that are trustworthy and liable such as
the Hawaiian Humane Society and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Research Log #2 - Solutionary Project 2021

Date: 22 February 2021
Name: Makena Nera
Central Question: Why are animal shelters so important?
Thesis: Animal shelters play an important role in society and we should support them by raising money and
donating much needed supplies.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #2 What is the problem?

Excerpts:
“On any given day in the United States, there are an estimated 70 million dogs and cats struggling to survive,” PETA
points out.

According to PETA, “The lives of homeless dogs and cats are spent in fear and discomfort and then finally cut short.”

“Of the millions of animals who enter shelters each year,” the article states, explaining that, “about half must be
euthanized for humane reasons or because no suitable homes exist for them.”

Commentary and Analysis:

In this article, PETA begins to explain that all the homeless animals is a result of people failing to spay and
neuter them. It also allows them to bring even more animals into this world who don’t have homes that make them feel
safe and loved. Many of the homeless animals are the offspring of abandoned animals who were left behind when their
owners could not take care of them or want them anymore. In other communities, animal shelters have begun to turn
animals away due to full capacity, which causes more of them to end up on the streets. The article also explains that
dogs and cats are domesticated animals that depend on humans for food, water, going to the vet, shelter, and safety.
These homeless animals that are roaming the streets, get hit by cars, they are more likely to get attacked by
other animals and even people, which is very disheartening. The animals can contract, spread, suffer and die from
diseases. Even a little infection can become life threatening due to being untreated. During the winter, they will freeze
and the water that they drink on the streets will be frozen over. Even if the water wasn’t frozen, that water is polluted
with motor oil, pesticides, and other substances that are dangerous to their bodies. During the summer, temperatures go
up causing the animals to suffer from heat exhaustion.
Every year, more than 6 million animals are taken into shelters because of various reasons. One of those
reasons being that their owners couldn’t afford to pay for the euthanasia at a veterinary hospital. Owners also couldn’t
afford to pay for other treatments such as broken legs, tumors, infections, diseases, etc. That may seem like a terrible
thing, but those owners did what they knew would be best for their pets because if they kept their animals knowing that
are suffering and didn’t give them the care that they needed, then that’s just cruel. It’s also illegal because there are
laws in every state that protect animals from wanton neglect. Animals are taken in so that they can get the treatment
that they need, be safe and comfortable and be prepared to find a new home.

MLA Work Cited:

“Companion Animal Overpopulation and Homelessness.” PETA. 20 Aug. 2020.

This is a reputable and reliable article because PETA is an animal rights organization with over 6 million supporters
that focuses on stopping animal cruelty in all aspects, labs, the food industry, the clothing trade, and the entertainment
industry.

Research Log #3 - Solutionary Project 2021

Date: 22 February 2021
Name: Makena Nera
Central Question: Why are animal shelters so important?
Thesis: Animal shelters play an important role in society and we should support them by raising money and
donating much needed supplies.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #2 What is being done?

Excerpts:
According to Laura Gonzo, who volunteered at Camp Katrina, “People were trying to break into the camp and steal
them, steal the dogs, so that they could fight them.”

“But the animals that could not be reunited were placed in new homes,” Laura had explained. “We saved, collectively,
thousands and thousands of animals.”

“So despite all they had been through, with the help of volunteers, these dogs found a way to give back,” Laura points
out.

Commentary and Analysis:

Laura Gonzo had volunteered at Camp Katrina, which was a camp that helped the victims of Hurricane
Katrina. There were over 600,000 volunteers at that camp in Mississippi and they came from all over the world.
However, Laura didn’t choose to help rescue people, she chose to help rescue the animals who were victims of this
tragic event. Laura got started in animal rescue after reading a story about a dog who was being severely abused and
she decided to volunteer at animal rescues. At the camp, they would take care of the animals that they had rescued but
they had to be careful because there are so many cruel people out there who will use these animals for own their own
entertainment and for money, which is very sad.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many animals were not reunited with their families for multiple
reasons. Their families didn’t know where to start looking for them, they couldn’t take care of a pet anymore in those
circumstances, or they didn’t survive. With the help of Laura Gonzo and others at Camp Katrina, they were able to
find these animals new homes and new families that they know will be in good hands and will take care of them. Laura
along with fellow volunteers were able to find and rescue thousands and thousands of animals, where they would take
them in and take care of them first before finding them a new home. They wanted these animals to be comfortable
around them and start to open up.
These animals had gone through a lot during that period of being along to being rescued. They were dirty, they
were injured and they were lost. These animal rescues provided care and treatments for them and they also made sure
that they were well taken care of and put into a loving home. Some of the volunteers at Camp Katrina had started their
own groups to help rescue animals. The animals that were rescued would be adopted into loving families and some of
them would even go on to help and comfort others, such as prisoners and patients who were being treated for
chemotherapy. Even though these animals went through so much, they still found a way to comfort others and lift their
spirits up.

MLA Work Cited:

Performance by Laura Gonzo. Volunteering and Animal Rescue Impacts People and Communities. 25 June.
2015. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDqyOLCFJ3c. 

This is a reputable and reliable article because TEDx Talks brings in people with experience and passion to talk
about what impacted them to change this world for the better. Laura Gonzo had a lot of experience and showed
evidence of her work.

Research Log #4 - Solutionary Project 2021

Date: 3/7/21
Name: Makena Nera
Central Question: Why are animal shelters so important?
Thesis: Animal shelters play an important role in society and we should support them by raising money and
donating much needed supplies.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source?

Excerpts:

Commentary and Analysis:

MLA Work Cited:

This is a reputable and reliable article because

 Research Log #5 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date: 3/8/21
Name: Makena Nera
Central Question: Why are animal shelters so important?
Thesis: Animal shelters play an important role in society and we should support them by raising money and
donating much needed supplies.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #1 What is the problem?

Excerpts:
According to Ron and Danny, “Over 4 million animals are euthanized every year in America.”

“We don’t want to pick a perfect dog,” they stated. “We want to pick a dog that we can help and save and hopefully
rehab.”

“Seeing their faces and knowing they’re about to die. That drives me harder to want to save more.” Ron and Danny
say.

Commentary and Analysis:

In the beginning of the documentary, Ron and Danny begin to explain the animals that have a red code, which
is basically saying that those are the animals that are going to be euthanized, or put down, and it also lets them know
the date that they will be euthanized. They also begin to explain that shelters will send them emails and tell them to
take some of the animals because they don’t want to euthanize them. It’s just a bunch of email asking to take them.
This is really heartbreaking because this is barely a percentage of how much animals are actually put down by
euthanasia. Ron and Danny said that there are over 4 million, which is insane. A lot of the animals that are being put
down are really innocent, healthy dogs too, which makes it even more heartbreaking.
In one scene of the documentary when Ron and Danny were looking at dogs to take home, they said something
that kind of caught my attention. They said that they don’t want a perfect dog, they want a dog that’s broken and needs
healing. I thought that was kind of interesting but I understand why they said that. The reason for their rescue is to help
and save animals, so there’s no point in helping an animal that doesn’t need any help. Ron and Danny want to be the
ones to help these animals become perfect.
This line really made me heartbroken because I know I would definitely be upset seeing all those innocent
dogs in there not knowing that their life was about to be cut short. They always look so happy and are so hyper, which
makes it even more depressing to think about. I like the fact that Ron and Danny said that seeing those animals is what
pushes them and motivates them to try even harder. It pushes them to want to save more and more animals every day,
which is amazing. There is always going to be an animal around that needs some sort of saving and I’m glad that Ron
and Danny are so passionate about it and that they truly enjoy helping these animals.

MLA Work Cited: Life In The DogHouse documentary

This is a reputable and reliable article because it shows how determined and motivated Ron and Danny are to save
any animal that they can. They really want to help these animals.
 Research Log #6 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date: 3/9/21
Name: Makena Nera
Central Question: Why are animal shelters so important?
Thesis: Animal shelters play an important role in society and we should support them by raising money and
donating much needed supplies.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)

In which section will you use this source? #3 What do you think should be done?

Excerpts:
According to the article, “Talking to people in the community can bring about the changes that will dramatically
improve the welfare of these animals.”

“Old blankets, toys, and other supplies”, the article points out, “can greatly help the shelters to save what limited
resources they have.”

“Even the smallest things can have significant effects on the lives of animals in the shelter,” the article says.

Commentary and Analysis:

In our everyday lives, we see stray animals roaming the parks, the streets, everywhere. We all know that most
people tend to turn a blind eye and not give a damn about them because of possible dangers that those animals may
possess, which is understandable. However, the least you can do is report it to an animal shelter where they will have
people pick them up and care for them until they find a new home. Most of these animals were abandoned and left to
die from previous owners, which is not right because it was not the life that those animals signed up for. I think as a
community, everyone should be aware of all the help that these animals can receive, not only from the people who
work in animal shelters, but from anyone.
Donating anything, even the smallest of things can go a long way for these animals because at that point, they
don’t really have anything. It’s not only going to help the animals, but it will also help the shelters because it helps
them save whatever limited resources they have. Any donation counts, whether it be a couple balls, some collars, or
even just a $1 donation, it’s all good. It’s also good to have your family and your friends participate in donating so that
it will help the shelters even more.
There are many different ways you can help these animals such as, volunteering, donating, fostering, and many
others. Even if you can’t do any of that, you can help donate to save the animals. The money that you are donating will
be used for supplies such as medicine, food, microchips, and other improvements for the shelters to help care for the
animals. Many people will think that nothing will help them and that others are doing it for nothing and that they’re
just wasting supplies and money. I think that people should do what they feel is right and helping these animals is a
good thing that I hope one day everybody can see.

MLA Work Cited:

Castaneda, Juliana. “Five Ways You Can Help Stray Animals: Dogs, Cats and Others.” Juliana's Animal
Sanctuary. 14 July 2020. julianasanimalsanctuary.org/5-ways-how-to-help-stray-animals/.  
This is a reputable and reliable article because it shows pictures and has stories about the rescues that Juliana
Castaneda has experienced.