Solving the Problem

1.) There is an opportunity I would like to exploit in the Gainesville area and across college towns across the country. I believe there is a need for education about the active responsibility of owning and raising a pet. Dogs and cats in college towns across the country are being abandoned by their student owners. Why? There are a plethora of reasons but the main two are: Lack of personal responsibility, and time conflicts.
2.) I believe this opportunity can be exploited by creating a service that allows first time pet owners to see what its like to raise a pet while in college. The service would start in college towns but if it becomes more successful it could branch out into major cities across the U.S.

1. Service Idea 1: Mandatory education course for first time owners before being eligible to adopt a pet. 
2. Service Idea 2: Take home puppy or kitten for a week before adopting, to see how owning an animal fits your schedule. 
3. Service Idea 3: Mandatory shelter volunteering (25 hours) before being eligible to adopt

Each of these have it’s own benefits and could be adopted services under shelters and pet stores across the country. Each of these services would provide valuable learning experiences for college students and I believe will reduce the number of pets abandoned by college students who didn’t take the time to educate themselves beforehand.