LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Every year since 2010, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) gives grants to deserving animal shelters. The money comes from the taxpayers who check the “animal welfare fund” box on their state taxes. The money is used to help community animal shelters with their many needs to keep their shelters running and animals adopted.
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This year, MDARD is distributing $150K to 34 registered animal shelters in the state including three in the Upper Peninsula. Various animal welfare projects will be funded thanks to generous animal-loving Michiganders.
According to statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association, Michigan is home to approximately 2.4 million dogs and 1.8 million cats; and some of these animals are being housed inside one of Michigan’s 204 registered animal shelters waiting to become someone’s family pet.
Grants through the Michigan’s Animal Welfare Fund help shelters finance spay/neuter programs, educate others about proper animal care, train staff, and provide the means for maintaining animal health throughout local communities. Collectively, these efforts help shelters to adopt out more animals and promote animal health and welfare in their communities.
State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland says, “Thanks to the generosity and kindness of Michigan taxpayers, MDARD can continue to support the increasing needs of our registered animal shelters. Over the past few years, we have seen a steady increase in not only the number of shelters applying for grants but also in the amount of funds being requested. This funding makes a significant, positive impact on Michigan’s animals and the people who care for them.”
For this year’s grant cycle, MDARD received 96 applications from 64 organizations, totaling more than $2 million in requests.
One hundred percent of the contributions made to the Animal Welfare Fund goes directly to registered Michigan animal shelters to help them better care for local animals and support their broader community. Since 2010, MDARD has distributed more than $1.8 million to over 283 animal shelters.
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Some of the innovative projects selected this year include: supplying local law enforcement agencies with microchip scanners so lost pets can be scanned in the field and more quickly reunited with their owners; protecting both shelter animals and owned animals throughout the community by expanding vaccination capabilities and opportunities at shelters; and funding and equipping surgical suites at local animal shelters to not only reduce the stress and cost of shelter animals traveling for care but also serve as a resource for veterinary care for the pets throughout the community.
The following animal shelter organizations received 2023 Animal Welfare Fund grants:
- A ReJoyceful Animal Rescue (Clinton Twp) – $3,000
- Addison Veterinary Clinic – $600
- Alpena County Animal Control – $3,000
- Al-Van Humane Society (South Haven) – $3,000
- Arenac County Animal Control – $5,200
- City of Romulus Animal Shelter – $3,500
- Clare County Animal Shelter – $10,000
- Delta Animal Shelter (Escanaba) – $5,000
- Detroit Animal Care & Control – $10,000
- Eva Burrell Animal Shelter (Manistique) – $6,000
- Friends of Companion Animals (Monroe) – $3,000
- Gladwin County Animal Control Shelter – $4,000
- Gratiot County Animal Shelter – $6,050
- Greater Hillsdale Humane Society -$4,000
- Hazel Park Animal Control – $2,000
- Homeward Bound (Manistee County Humane Society) – $2,000
- Humane Society of Bay County – $4,000
- Ingham County Animal Control – $2,800
- Ionia County Animal Shelter – $5,000
- Kalamazoo Animal Rescue – $6,000
- Lake County Animal Control – $11,000
- Little Traverse Bay Humane Society (Harbor Springs) – $2,000
- Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers (MAACO) – $3,000
- Macomb County Animal Control – $4,500
- McCloud’s Lake Haven – $5,000
- Menominee Animal Shelter – $800
- Michigan Humane – $2,000
- Newaygo County Animal Control – $550
- Otsego County Animal Control & Shelter – $10,000
- Pound Buddies (Muskegon) – $6,000
- Roscommon County Animal Control – $2,000
- St. Joseph County Animal Control – $5,000
- Taylor Animal Shelter – $5,000
- Van Buren County Animal Control – $5,000
For more information on the Animal Welfare Fund and how to contribute, click here.
