Annual Report, 2006   Dear UWAG Family and Friends:   2006 was our second year of existence and another exciting one for United WAG, Inc. ("UWAG"). You will recall that we established UWAG last year with the following mission:   To improve the welfare of animals in Miami-Dade County through education, advocacy and coordination of community efforts.   We founded UWAG to address the circumstances that lead to the high incidence of animal abuse and abandonment in South Florida.  As stated on our web site home page, "In order to effectuate the type of change that will positively affect the greatest number of needy animals, we must look at the root causes of animal abandonment and abuse and then try to work at a systemic level to address those root causes." (www.unitedwag.org)   During our first year, we established UWAG as a viable entity with a clear mission and strategic plan, set up our Board of Directors, obtained our 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, designed and developed our web site, logo and marketing materials, began forming community alliances and determined which projects would be most effective in accomplishing our mission.       During our second year, we took up specific projects designed to accomplish our over-all goal of eliminating animal abuse and abandonment.  Following is a partial list of what we accomplished during our second twelve months:   1.       Began the process of establishing a public/private partnership with Animal Services of Miami-Dade County ("ASD") to jointly tackle the root causes of animal abuse and abandonment. 2.       Participated in the establishment of a community based legislative task force to review and revise Chapter 5 of the Miami-Dade County Ordinances dealing with all aspects of domestic animals care and control in the County.  3.       Provided legal assistance to the legislative task force and developed a proposed anti-tethering ordinance for submission to the Miami-Dade County Commission.  Both the anti-tethering ordinance and the revised Code have been presented to, and reviewed by, the County Attorney and are in process to be added to the Miami-Dade County Commission agenda for consideration. 4.       Established a community group that drafted animal welfare lesson plans for Kindergarten through Fifth Grades for implementation in the Miami-Dade County Public School system through the character education curriculum.  The lesson plans and related work sheets and teacher resources are posted on our web site and are free to everyone.  We also shared the curriculum with all private elementary schools in Miami-Dade County. 5.       Prepared a spay/neuter program proposal and met with ASD to assess their capacity and needs and to plan a partnership to provide as many spay/neuter services as possible in 2007. 6.       Completed the UWAG web site and continued to add substantive content on issues affecting the root causes of animal abuse and abandonment. 7.       Kicked off our community fund raising campaign and submitted grant proposals to foundations.   Through the education, legislation and advocacy, and spay and neuter initiatives we have launched with community partners, we are already improving the welfare of our animal companions and their human guardians and creating a better South Florida for all of us.  Please visit our website and join us in our efforts.  Thank you!   Yvonne Grassie, President, UWAG Board of Directors     Annual Report, 2005   Dear UWAG Family and Friends:   2005 was an exciting first year for United WAG, Inc. ("UWAG"). We established UWAG last year with the following mission:   To improve the welfare of animals in Miami-Dade County through education, advocacy and coordination of community efforts.   We founded UWAG to address the circumstances that cause so many animals to be abandoned and/or abused in South Florida.  As stated on our web site home page, "In order to effectuate the type of change that will positively affect the greatest number of needy animals, we must look at the root causes of animal abandonment and abuse and then try to work at a systemic level to address those root causes." (www.unitedwag.org)   During our first year, we concentrated on establishing UWAG as a viable entity with a clear strategic plan, strong Board of Directors and a workable marketing plan.  We identified our projects, potential community partners and long-term goals.  Following is a partial list of what we accomplished during our first twelve months:   1.      Convened initial advisory committee composed of members of the community who have varied skill sets but share a desire to undertake long term action to resolve the problem of animal abuse and neglect in our community. 2.      Developed UWAG's mission statement, incorporated, applied for and obtained 501(c)(3) tax exempt status - any contribution you make is tax-deductible! 3.      Completed the UWAG two-year strategic plan. 4.      Designed and set up the UWAG web site, a work in progress but already filled with lots of valuable information and resources. 5.      Researched and created a comprehensive written summary of all Miami-Dade County rules and regulations and Florida state laws pertaining to animal welfare and rights.  These are posted on our web site as a reference resource. 6.      Completed our initial research on the process to be followed to incorporate animal welfare education into the elementary school curriculum in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. 7.      Began making contact with community groups to form strategic alliances to maximize our impact on the root causes of animal abuse and abandonment. 8.      In keeping with our strategic plan, and based on an analysis of the root causes of animal abuse and abandonment, we decided to initially concentrate on education, advocacy for enforcement and updating of existing animal welfare laws, and working toward greater spay and neuter efforts in the community.   We've now launched education, legislation and advocacy, and spay and neuter initiatives with community partners.  We will provide you with periodic updates on our progress.  In the meantime, please visit our website and join us in our efforts.  Thank you!   Yvonne Grassie, President, UWAG Board of Directors   Sam's Story: Sam survived on the streets of Coconut Grove for a long time before someone decided to take a chance on rescuing this big boy. Although he looked a bit fierce with his huge head and emaciated body, he turned out to be a big teddy bear without an aggressive bone in his body. He now lives in quiet comfort with his new canine sister, two loving parents, a soft bed to sleep on and plenty of food to fatten him up.