The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recognizes Spay/Neuter Awareness Month — a month dedicated to highlighting the importance and benefits of this procedure. For Michigan animal shelters, spaying and neutering animals is vital for controlling the population of unwanted pets and making more pets ready for adoption into their fur-ever homes.

“Spaying and neutering animals is required of Michigan’s registered animal shelters,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “Dogs, cats, and ferrets have to be spayed or neutered as part of the adoption process, which helps protect against overpopulation. Thanks to the generosity of Michigan taxpayers, MDARD helps to support spaying and neutering programs at local animal shelters through Animal Welfare Fund grants, leading to a lasting impact in the communities served by these shelters.”

Grants through Michigan’s Animal Welfare Fund help shelters get animals into their forever homes by financing the spay/neuter and vaccination of those animals. This funding also provides for other animal care projects and services in a shelter’s local area. All Michiganders can help to protect shelter animals and improve their care by checking the Animal Welfare Fund’s box on Form 4642, Voluntary Contributions Schedule, on their state tax returns. More contributions will lead to more shelters having the resources and funding they need to keep pace with the demands of their communities.

“Spaying and neutering is important because we want to decrease the amount of strays,” said Shawn Donovan, Supervisor at the City of Taylor Animal Shelter. “It’s a big help to us and the community that when we do adopt that they are spayed and neutered. It’s a disservice when they are not because it contributes to a growing population of stray dogs and cats.”

“I think it is very important to donate to the Animal Welfare Fund because there are so many animals in need,” said Jodi Schrader, Director and Founder of Saved by Zade. “Throughout the entire state of Michigan, we try to help, but there are so many shelters that are in need of assisting the animals in their area. So, donations would be helpful throughout the state to help any places that are applying.”

For more information about the Animal Welfare Fund, visit www.michigan.gov/animalwelfarefund.