Sean Le Vegan British web designer and volunteer intends to live in a dog shelter for 35 days Country: Great Britain

Biography of Sean Le Vegan

Sean Le Vegan is a British web designer and volunteer who is determined to live in a dog shelter for 35 days. His action is also intended to draw attention to the fate of poor dogs abandoned to their own devices. His voluntary confinement in the kennel will begin on October 5, 2013, at the 'Manchester Dogs Home', a shelter in Manchester where Sean works on a voluntary basis.

The 'Manchester Dogs Home' is an organization with a long history that sees around 4,000 dogs pass through its doors every year, with 34% of them being abandoned pets. This charitable organization was founded in 1893 by a group of businessmen from Manchester who were deeply concerned about the number of homeless dogs wandering the city. The organization operates shelters in both Manchester and Cheshire, with approximately 3,000 dogs passing through the Cheshire shelter each year.

Le Vegan, an animal rights activist, will live for 35 days in the dog shelter to shed light on the plight of these poor dogs, who spend a similar amount of time waiting for potential owners. Unfortunately, statistics show that only one out of every ten puppies born in shelters find a permanent home.

Le Vegan states, "People thought I was crazy when this idea came to my mind... It's going to be really tough. But I don't want to just wear a cucumber suit, or run 26 miles, or do some other trivial act. I want to truly show people what homeless dogs go through and demonstrate it through my own experience."

During the first four days, Le Vegan intends to go without food to simulate the reaction of a scared animal placed in an unfamiliar environment. Water will be his only drink, and a blanket will be his only comfort. He will be given one hour of freedom each day to take a walk and use the bathroom. Le Vegan has already undergone the procedure of having a microchip implanted. The entire 35-day period in the kennel will be recorded on video surveillance cameras. People will be able to access the footage for £5 ($7.55), and all proceeds will go towards improving the shelter.

Le Vegan adds, "Manchester Dogs Home is a fantastic charitable organization that has been doing its work for over 100 years. They need funds for shelter restoration and to make the kennel a safer place from vandals and thieves. Every penny will go towards a good cause." Le Vegan also plans to document his experience on his website 'Kennel 35' and his Facebook page.

According to estimates, there were 118,000 stray dogs in the United Kingdom in 2012. One source notes that in the United States, between five to seven million pets (not just dogs) end up in shelters each year, with a ratio of five homeless animals to one homeless person. Health experts will closely monitor Sean's condition to ensure it does not reach a dangerous level.