CURRENT PROJECTS

United WAG is working on developing a spay/neuter program in conjunction with the Animal Services Department of Miami-Dade County ("ASD") and community activists to more fully utilize the County's Mobile Animal Clinic and increase community education about the benefits of increased spay/neutering of animals to control animal over-population and decrease the incidence of animal abuse and abandonment We have completed a comprehensive catalogue of existing animal welfare laws, rules and regulations in Miami-Dade County and Florida (see link to "Miami-Dade County Codes") and have worked with a legislative initiatives committee of ASD employees and community activists to prepare suggested revisions and updates to those Code provisions. The revised Code provisions will be presented for approval to the Miami-Dade County Commission. We have also developed, as part of this legislative committee, a proposed anti-tethering ordinance for consideration by the Miami-Dade County Commission. United WAG will also continue to advocate for the investigation, control and licensure of "mom and pop" breeders and puppy mills and strict control of the importation of animals. We have developed comprehensive elementary school animal welfare lesson plans and resources as part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Character Education curriculum for implementation in the 2006-2007 academic year. We will work on developing animal welfare curriculum for the middle and high school level and will work with local book stores and the Parent Academy to use the elementary school animal welfare curriculum for community events to raise awareness about animal abuse and abandonment. We will continue to work to establish cooperative relationships between public and private groups committed to improving animal welfare so that we can maximize available resources and effectiveness.   Caico was a skinny, skittish, one-year old boy who had been dumped in Coconut Grove and was running for his life when he was side-tracked by some tasty cheese held by his rescuer. Caico was adopted by a wonderful family and has blossomed into a handsome and secure couch potato who loves to snuggle up to both his canine and human siblings.