The appalling number of animal abuse cases reported by the media is only a fraction of how many of these acts actually take place. In fact, the majority of these cases go unrecognized or unreported. However, what researchers do know is the number of abusive acts against animals that are reported are at astounding rates. In 2012 alone, 551 cases of animal abuse was reported in the United States ranging from beating, drowning, poisoning, strangling, and even burning of animals; and the list doesn't stop there (Animal Abuse Statistics, 2013). Additionally, even though research shows that the number of animal abuse cases fluctuates from year to year, it is known that this is a prominent societal problem that is in dire need of addressing and/or prevention. Animals do not have a way to speak up for themselves, nor do they have the ability to protect themselves from harm. They are living creatures with feelings just like humans and they deserve rights and protection from harm and cruelty as well.

If this problem is left unattended, more animals risk becoming abused, which in itself is cruel, but there has also been a strong correlation between animal abuse and antisocial/criminal behavior. In fact, it is said that animal torture is the gateway to humanistic violence (Bartol, 2011). Therefore, it is imperative that researchers find preventative strategies to first and foremost save the animals, but also to possibly decrease other societal problems that may be linked to such acts as well.

The integrative paper is designed to be a thoughtful, scholarly work. This means that it should follow scholarly research procedure--although little, if any, formal, original data collection will be conducted by you. However, a significant part of your research will include a comprehensive literature review gathering support for your ideas about your topic from what other scholars have written about the subject. Be sure to give them credit for their ideas by proper citations. The writing style to be used in citing published materials from others in the body of your paper and the Reference Page will be APA style. See Kent library online or the Southeast Missouri State Univeristy Social Work website for a review of APA style.