animal haven: 2010 senior design capstone

2010 Senior Capstone

Animal Haven

Amanda Starnes

Capstone 2010 Animal Haven Amanda Starnes

Table of Contents

1. Introduction (Initial Proposal) a. Design Problem b. Research Findings c. Design Opportunities d. Timeline

2. Problem Statement 3. Project Goals 4. Design Objectives 5. Design Specifications 6. Research Goals 7. Research Methods 8. Research Findings

a. Information collection b. Crate examples c. Water intake d. Guillotine doors

9. Critique 1 - Initial concepts and design opportunities 10. Phase 1 - Design Development

a. Early visualization b. Removable side walls c. Additive d. Removable floor/waste tray with hinge e. Bottom hinge f. Window options g. Product use h. Wider doors i. Small tray j. Water bottle holder k. Overall dimensions

11. Critique 2 - Midterm final concept direction 12. Phase 2 - Design Development

a. Water bottle holder b. New form product use c. 1:2 scale model

13. Critique 3 - Final design a. Working calendar


b. New form with food bank c. Exploded view of parts d. Poster layout

14. Phase 3 - Design a. New handles b. Final renders c. Model making d. Final posters


1. Introduction

Design Problem

There are over 3,500 animal shelters in the United States alone, most of which operate solely on donations. Many are only open for limited hours due to costly operating expenses. Shelters across the country are steadily cutting hours of operation simply because they cannot afford to compensate their employees over a sustained period of time. This creates a real problem for animals to receive the help they desperately need. There are limited windows of time for individuals to drop animals off at shelters, perhaps only during a few hours in the afternoon for many locations. The local facility only opens its doors to receive animals Monday thru Saturday 12pm to 6pm, and Sunday 12pm to 5pm. This is a problem for a lot of people who work during the daytime hours.

After hours, many shelters have only one Animal Officer on call. He or she will pick up an animal only if it poses immediate danger to people and/or other animals. What about animals who are injured, starving, who just need some TLC? Those animals are unfortunately at the mercy of the few kind souls in the world willing to show some compassion. The dangerous animals should not be the only ones to receive immediate attention, leaving strays to starve in the streets is not acceptable.

There should be a way of accommodating any animal in need at any time of day. A safe environment/structure is in need to at risk AND dangerous animals.

Research Findings

The SPCA Sharonville facility, built in 2008, has an afterhours drop off service incorporated into the building. There are 4, 3 x 3 x 3’ units built into the wall next to the In-take office. There are strengths and weaknesses with the current service:

- The doors are propped open at night with a blanket; this allows the employees to lock the door so that once an animal is placed inside. The door cannot be opened again until the next morning by the handler. This is a safety precaution on the animals’ and people’s behalf.

- There is a paper folded into a plastic cover attached to the front of each unit. This is for the person to fill out regarding the owned or found animal being dropped off. The more


information obtained about the animal and its situation, the more appropriately the handler’s may attend to the animals’ needs, ultimately adopting it out.

Owned Animal Found Animal Owner’s Information Finder’s Information Pet surrender information Where found

- Housebroken? Signature for release - Shots? - Rabies? - Veterinarian’s name? - Health problems? - Reaction to strangers? - Length of ownership? - Why giving up pet?

Signature for release

- Animals do leave waste in the units during the duration of their stay, creating a potentially uncomfortable situation for the animal and the handler.

A lot of shelters attempt to create a “drop box” for after hours. There are countless make-shift solutions that are extremely inappropriate:

These are small communal fenced-in areas with a tarp thrown over the top acting as a roof. These potentially dangerous for multiple animals in the drop box at once. There are no separate spaces for each individual animal. Without an individual space per animal, there is opportunity for violence among animals and spread of disease.

This problem must be addressed. A major opportunity gap exists to create a humane and appropriate solution available for animal shelters everywhere.


Design Opportunities

Create an environment or structure to accommodate animals in need after shelter hours of operation. The solution should be automated, with the ability to function independent of personnel. Structure should protect animals from the elements and be appropriate for all weather conditions. Drop-off service should address the collection of information about the animal and incorporate a successful method for doing so. Design solution will address material, assembly, installation, ease of use, accessibility, cost, comfort, and safety.


Timeline

Mar

ch 1

4-20

Mar

ch 2

1-27

Mar

ch28

-Apr

il3

April

4-1

0

April

11-

17

April

18-

24

April

25-M

ay1

May

2-8

May

9-1

5

May

16-

22

May

23-

29

May

30-

June

5

Observe Document animal drop-off / intake process X X

Listen Interview volunteers, animals officers, employees at animal shelters

X X X

Understand Determine relevant factors of design Determine design requirements/specifications

X X X

Translate Create design concepts for specific scenarios Address entire process and possible complications for each element

X X X

Realize Combine component ideas into all-inclusive solutions Concept selection and validation

X X

Finalize Create prototype of final solution 2D and 3D representation of solution Detailed storyboard of processes

X X


2. Problem Statement

Create a structure to accommodate animals in need after shelter hours of operation. The solution should be automated, with the ability to function independent of personnel. Structure should protect animals from the elements and be appropriate for all weather conditions. Deposit should address the collection of information about the animal.

3. Project Goals (deliverables)

Full scale model of Animal Haven

2D visual representation with process book

4. Design Objectives

1. Structure will be free standing, semi permanent solution with the option of relocating if needed. User will have the option of physically securing the unit temporarily for more security.

2. Structure should be large enough to accommodate most animals. 3 x 3 x3 feet to accommodate 95% of dogs.

3. Structure will assist in the collection of information about the animal and finder/owner.

Owned Animal Found Animal Owner’s Information Finder’s Information Pet surrender information Where found

- Housebroken? Signature for release - Shots? - Rabies? - Veterinarian’s name? - Health problems? - Reaction to strangers? - Length of ownership? - Why giving up pet?

Signature for release

4. Structure will have vents to provide fresh air for the animals. Small enough so you can’t poke stuff through, mesh screen?

5. Structure will have a onetime entry per use. The door cannot be opened again by the finer/owner. Only staff may open deposit when retrieving animal. This is for the animals’ and the public’s safety.

6. Structure will provide adequate protection from the elements. 7. Structure will provide a water source. Constant? 8. Structure will provide some waste management with the use of a drained floor and removable

waste tray. 9. Structure will be scratch proof?


10. Structure will have a flat entry surface, in case needed to “scoot” a defiant animal.

5. Design Specifications

1. Structure interior must be 3 x 3 x3 feet to accommodate a variety of animals.

6. Research Goals

Who wants to use this structure? Why?

Locations (shelters, parks, country)

Dimensions, maximum/minimum for comfort of animal

Food? Waste management?

Flat surface entry, to “scoot” animal, if hard to lift or defiant

Vents? Small enough so you can’t poke stuff thru, mesh screen?

Animal and Human safety

Self locking, one time entry per use

Print recognition? Keys?

Protection from elements

Scratch proof (interior)

Information input

methods and efficiency, user comfort and convenience

7. Research Methods

On-site exploration of SPCA Colerain (no deposit)

Environment options, location of future deposit

Security concerns, multiple gates/fences to pass

Obtaining information about animal

On-site exploration of SPCA Sharonville (deposit)

Current deposit method


Method of obtaining info

Who can use structure?

Security issues

8. Research Findings

Information collection

Below is an example of an information collection form used by the Cincinnati Sharonville SPCA facility on animal deposits. These papers are placed in a clear plastic folder taped into the door, exposed to the elements. This particular example has been weathered quite a bit.


Crate examples

(http://www.gundogsonline.com/dog-crates/plastic-dog-crate/high-country-plastics-deluxe-dog-kennel.html)

Floor of the crate is a molded 10 gallon water tank. The built in water tank is easily filled via an oversized fill cap and the water is dispensed via a standard 3/4" garden hose valve.

During the warmer months the water tanks offer a significant cooling factor to keep animals cool while in the crate. This built in water tank acts as an air pocket during the cooler months which keeps your dog away from the cold floor with a layer of air between the dog and the floor.

This dog crate design allows your dog to see out but others cannot see in through the side vents.

The locking storage compartment is a moisture resistant rubber seal to help keep your gear or dog training supplies clean and dry, they are 4 inch deep trays.

Features: Solid built construction UV protected plastic Aluminum sides Triple stamped louvers Slam latch lockable kennel door Lockable Storage area Storage area is 4" deep with compartments 10 Gallon build in water tank Oversized filling spout 3/4" Garden hose attachment FDA Grade plastic for fresh drinking water Water tank keeps dogs cooler in the warm months Empty water tank acts like an air bladder to keep the dog warmer in cooler months

http://www.gundogsonline.com/dog-crates/


Water Intake

How much water should a dog drink per day?

On the average, a healthy dog drinks about 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. (http://www.dogster.com/articles/How-Much-Water-Should-a-Dog-Drink-a-Day-124)

How much water should a cat drank per day?

Normally, a cat will require 2-4 ounces of fresh water in addition to its food. Dry food is only 10 percent water, while canned is approximately 80 percent water. So, is depends in the individual cat’s diet. (http://www.catster.com/articles/How-Much-Water-Should-My-Cat-Drink-Every-Day-80)

Guillotine Doors

http://csimfg.com/Guillotine_Door.html

http://csimfg.com/Group_Shelter.html

http://www.cutepuppydog.com/Top_Five_Mistakes.html

http://www.petstop.ie/size-guide.html

Dog sizes

http://www.dogster.com/articles/How-Much-Water-Should-a-Dog-Drink-a-Day-124

http://www.catster.com/articles/How-Much-Water-Should-My-Cat-Drink-Every-Day-80

http://csimfg.com/Guillotine_Door.html

http://csimfg.com/Group_Shelter.html

http://www.cutepuppydog.com/Top_Five_Mistakes.html

http://www.petstop.ie/size-guide.html


9. Critique 1 - Initial concepts and design opportunities


Tuesday April 13, 2010

Initial Concepts and Design Opportunities

Critiquers: Steve Doehler, Sooshin Choi, Peter Chamberlain


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Early visualization


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Removable walls


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Additive


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Removable floor/waste tray


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Removable floor/waste tray with hinge


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Bottom hinge


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Window options


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Product use


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Product use

Cannot tilt to remove, because of the contents.

Design the tray with a hinge in the middle to fold inward and remove,

OR widen the doors to accommodate width of tray

OR make tray smaller.


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Wider doors to accommodate tray


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Smaller tray to accommodate doors


10. Phase 1 Design Development - water bottle holder


10. Phase 1 Design Development - Overall dimensions


11. Critique 2 - Midterm final concept direction

See pages 23 - 33

Thursday May 13, 2010

Midterm final concept direction


12. Phase 2 Design Development - Water bottle holder

Metal holder designed to contain 64 ounce water bottle. Fasten inside, one on each side wall for animal to use. Must fasten low enough to remove water bottle.


12. Phase 2 Design Development - Water bottle holder


12. Phase 2 Design Development - New form product use (2d rounds)


12. Phase 2 Design Development - New form product use


12. Phase 2 Design Development - 1:2 scale model


13. Critique 3 - final design

Wednesday May 16, 2010

Final Design Critique


13. Critique 3 - working calendar


13. Critique 3 - final design


13. Critique 3 - poster layout


14. Phase 3 Design Development - New handles


14. Phase 3 Design Development - Final renders


14. Phase 3 Design Development - Model making


14. Phase 3 Design Development - Final posters

animal haven: 2010 senior design capstone

Documents

final design

animal shelters

design development

design opportunities

introduction design

design objectives

design specifications

dangerous animals