Give a F*CK is a meaningful cigar for Lost & Found, first released last year in partnership with Project Unleashed at the Miami Veterinary Foundation. The cigar raised funds for their monthly, volunteer-powered clinics serving the pets of those in need. This year, Robert Caldwell is proud to support their initiatives again — Give a F*CK cigars are back for 2026 to help families, both two-legged and four, when they need it most in the Miami-Dade community.

Give a F*CK and Its Purpose

The Give a F*CK cigar is a 5" x 50 Robusto, featuring a dark Habano wrapper, a Sumatran binder, and Dominican Republic and Nicaraguan fillers. It is a medium-bodied smoke with a greater purpose behind it — A portion of every sale goes directly to Project Unleashed at the Miami Veterinary Foundation (MVF), a Miami-based non-profit providing accessible and compassionate veterinary care for those in need.

MVF was established in 1978 by a group of local veterinarians who had the desire to give back to the community, ensuring that animals can receive essential care regardless of their circumstances.

What Is Project Unleashed?

Project Unleashed is one of several programs at MVF, providing a pet wellness clinic that "offers basic wellness checks, vaccines, heartworm testing and prevention, flea & tick prevention, deworming, ear cleaning, nail trims, and more," according to their website. "All services are provided at no cost to eligible pet owners," says Dr. Irving Lerner, President of the Miami Veterinary Foundation, "including families experiencing financial hardship or housing instability, as well as seniors, veterans, teachers, and others living on fixed or limited incomes. Through Project Unleashed, we help make preventive veterinary care more accessible so families can keep their pets healthy and by their side.

"By addressing preventable health concerns before they develop into emergencies," he states, "Project Unleashed provides an important opportunity for families who may not otherwise have regular access to veterinary care. Many of the clients who visit our clinic have never previously had the opportunity to meet with or receive guidance from a veterinarian." The clinic runs monthly on the third Sunday and does not require an appointment, making it as simple as possible for under-resourced individuals to get the care they need for their beloved pets.

Powered mainly by volunteer veterinarians, technicians, and staff, along with students from Miami-Dade College's Certified Veterinary Technician program, and hosted at Camillus House, an organization that has served those experiencing lack of housing for over 65 years, Project Unleashed not only guarantees the utmost care for animals in the community who need it, but also offers clinical experience for the next generation of veterinary technicians, as noted on their website.

This program began in 2012 but paused, as so many things did, during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Once the world was reopening, Project Unleashed made a comeback in late June 2022, and has continued monthly ever since, save for the month of December. According to a partner story on Camillus House's website about that first post-COVID clinic, residents also picked up free dry dog and cat food, provided by Hill's Science Diet through Veterinary Centers of America Charities.

"Project Unleashed is a wonderful way to give back to the community," says Lerner. "It is especially meaningful to see so many familiar pets and families return month after month and year after year." Their support goes beyond veterinary services. "We are also supporting the powerful emotional bond between people and their animals. By helping families keep their pets healthy and reducing the risk of preventable illness, we can also help prevent pets from being surrendered or abandoned. That has always been one of our primary goals, and we have seen the positive impact of this program firsthand."

Each clinic runs from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. monthly. Prior to the pandemic, they were seeing roughly 25 to 50 animals each clinic. Today, they are up to 140 pets, nearly tripling the number served thanks to the efforts of volunteers.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have veterinarians who volunteer their time and expertise," he shares. "Local veterinarians, members of our board, dedicated volunteers, staff members, and veterinary students all work together to make each clinic possible." Within each event, there are about five volunteer veterinarians. "We could not operate Project Unleashed without the invaluable support of the Miami-Dade College Veterinary Technology Program. Veterinary tech students work alongside experienced veterinarians, gaining meaningful hands-on experience while helping us provide essential wellness services to the community."

Project Unleashed has continued to grow beyond these sources of volunteers. This past year, they began involving high school student volunteers at Hialeah High School. These efforts are smaller in scale and are appointment-based, with 20 to 30 pets cared for. "We'll see how that grows," he says. "But the demand is high."

Other Miami Veterinary Foundation Programs

Miami Veterinary Foundation's efforts in their community don't stop there. They have a variety of other programs, including the Miami-Dade Animal Services spay/neuter partnership, providing qualified low-income pet owners with these services for a minimal co-payment. Their Pets for Life program serves Liberty City with free vet care, supplies, services, and information to help pets, and their Pet Retention program supports low-income owners in maintaining their pets.

They also have the Kitten Adoption Prep program, ensuring more cats receive care for successful adoptions, as well as a scholarship fund at the University of Florida Veterinary College. It is clear that MVF cares deeply for their community and the animals within it.

Project Unleashed in particular is funded by The Batchelor Foundation along with other partners, including Lost & Found. Give a F*CK's success last year resulted in a substantial donation to MVF, and we are hoping for the same this year.

"We sincerely thank your entire team for choosing to support the Miami Veterinary Foundation through this special Give A F*CK cigar release," says Lerner. "We are incredibly grateful and excited to partner with you on the campaign. Your generosity will help us continue providing essential veterinary care, preventive services, and resources to pets and families throughout Miami-Dade County who need them most."

Rob is immensely passionate about the organization, and Give a F*CK is one of his favorite releases of the year. "Project Unleashed has already helped more than 2,000 animals stay healthy and right where they belong — with the people who love them," he says. "It's a cause I've believed in for years, and now you can be part of it too."

Helping animals in need is a wonderful bonus to enjoying a Lost & Found cigar like Give a F*CK. Thank you to the incredible staff and volunteers at Miami Veterinary Foundation serving monthly with Project Unleashed and in their other programs; your efforts have a beautiful impact on the community and we are pleased to be a part of caring for animals.

Give a F*CK by Lost & Found is available now in limited quantities on-site.

Bibliography

• Gulliksen, J. (2022, July 20). Furry Friends Wag Tails and Purr in Delight at Pet Day: Project Unleashed. Camillus House.
• Project Unleashed. Miami Veterinary Foundation. (n.d.).