Senators Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) and Paul Wojno (D-Warren) introduced Senate Bill 106 in February. In the bill, its stated purpose is to “address the overpopulation of this state’s companion animals and to support the humane care and health care of homeless and abused animals in the state’s shelters and rescues.”

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Proceeds from the license plate would go into the “Protecting Michigan’s Pets Fund,” supporting spay/ neuter programs and training for animal welfare workers. Funds would be distributed quarterly to shelters and rescues by the nonprofit Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA), which would also collaborate with the Secretary of State to design the plate.

Michigan Pet Alliance mobilizes public support for upcoming senate vote.

Michigan Pet Alliance, a group that advocates for best practices in shelters, rescues, and companion animal care, sent out an email on Wednesday, June 18 urging residents to contact their state senators this week, as the bill could hit the Senate floor for a vote as early as next week.

In the email, Michigan Pet Alliance asked animal lovers to immediately contact their state senator by phone or email and ask them to vote YES on SB 106.

The organization went on to say, “Once SB 106 passes through the full Senate, it is then on to the House for a battle we are determined to win by the end of the fall session.”

A tail-wagging solution to an ongoing crisis.

Animal shelters across Michigan have been raising red flags about overcrowding. In Northern Michigan, facilities are stretched to the limit with surrendered pets – and “kitten season,” which is typically March through October – always piles on even more pressure.

Courtney Protz-Sanders, Michigan Pet Alliance board member told Michigan News Source about the urgency of the bill, ”Michigan shelters and rescues are overburdened and overwhelmed. We need to increase spay/neuter services across the state to reduce the number of pets without homes.”

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She went on to say, “In some areas, the cost of spay/neuter is incredibly high and access is incredibly limited. Without using taxpayer dollars, this license plate will add more funding and more resources for spay/neuter for owned and unowned dogs and cats.”