My final project, “Paws and Petticoats: A Digital Exploration of Victorian Pet Ownership in Britain,” investigates how pets became central figures within Victorian society, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward class, gender, domesticity, and the human-animal bond. The central argument of my project is that Victorian pet ownership was far more than a personal or aesthetic choice; it actively reflected and reinforced social values and distinctions, becoming a potent symbol of identity and class status. As the rest of the class and I finish our project, it is beneficial to reflect on the central questions that guided it.

Central questions guiding the project include: How did social classes view pet ownership? Did the type of pet or variety of pets differ between social classes? What constituted an aristocratic pet compared to a middle or working-class pet? How were these pets portrayed visually and textually in media?

Overall, I wanted to explore the impact and importance of pets in society during the Victorian period, the central era I study. Beyond this, I wanted to explore whether there were any deeper connections to the present, as pet ownership remains somewhat of a status symbol. Not to mention the pivotal role that pets still play in society today. This project is not a final assessment of Victorian pet ownership, and I envision it as a starting point for a much larger project that will facilitate connections between historians and everyday people alike. I am glad that I get to combine my passions of technology, pets, and history into another passion, sharing knowledge with the world.

The evaluation of this project will focus on user engagement metrics, including site visits, interaction levels, and audience feedback.  Additionally, assessing the project’s impact will involve analyzing audience comments and the depth of discussion generated, with a particular focus on how effectively the project conveys the interplay between pets and Victorian cultural and social values.  Not to mention, a rigorous social media campaign preceding the project’s release will assist in its promotion. Ultimately, the project’s success will hinge on its ability to illuminate historical trends in pet ownership and foster meaningful conversations about cultural continuity and change.