MDARD Announces Grants to Help Michigan’s Registered Animal Shelters Better Support Homeless Pets

Taxpayers: Checking the “Animal Welfare Fund” box on your state tax returns helps local shelters meet community needs

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Animal Welfare Fund grants. This year, thanks to Michiganders who check the “Animal Welfare Fund” box on their annual state tax returns, MDARD will distribute $150,000 to 22 registered animal shelters throughout the state to support various animal welfare projects.

“Over the past few years, MDARD has seen a steady increase in not only the number of shelters applying for Animal Welfare Fund grants but also in the amount of funds being requested,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “The grants make a significant, positive impact on Michigan’s animals and the people who care for them. As Michiganders prepare their state tax returns, please check the box for the fund to continue generously supporting animals awaiting their fur-ever home.”

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 $1.9 million to over 305 animal shelters.

According to statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association, Michigan is home to approximately 2.6 million dogs and 1.8 million cats; and some of these animals are living in one of Michigan’s 209 registered animal shelters, waiting to become someone’s beloved pet.

Grants through 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. All of this is made possible by charitable Michiganders checking the fund’s box on Form 4642, Voluntary Contributions Schedule, on their state tax returns.

For this year’s grant cycle, MDARD received 66 applications from organizations across the state, totaling more than $600,000 in requests. Some of the innovative projects selected this year include:

• Helping to fund training programs for animal control officers to enhance their ability to provide support for their community and conduct welfare investigations.
• Expanding pet retention initiatives by supplying microchips for shelter and owned animals, along with facilitating access to microchip scanners across the community.
• Increasing spay and neuter opportunities for underserved communities.

The following animal shelter organizations are receiving 2024 Animal Welfare Fund grants:

The generosity of Michigan taxpayers makes the beneficial projects, programs, and services provided by these shelters possible. Please keep the good going by continuing to protect local animals and improve their care by checking the Animal Welfare Fund’s box on Form 4642, Voluntary Contributions Schedule, on your state tax returns.

For more information on the Animal Welfare Fund and how to contribute, please visit michigan.gov/animalwelfarefund.