Michigan pet owners now have a new way to support animal shelters and rescues every time they renew their plates.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 106 on Monday, July 27, creating what sponsors call the state's first animal welfare fundraising license plate. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by state Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), will channel money toward health care for homeless and abused animals, spay and neuter programs to reduce overcrowding, and direct support for shelter staff across Michigan.
The legislation was developed in partnership with the Michigan Secretary of State's office and the Michigan Pet Alliance, the state's only professional association of animal welfare organizations.
"Pets are beloved members of our families, and when times are hard, they suffer alongside the people who love them," Tanya Hilgendorf, chair of the Michigan Pet Alliance and president of the Humane Society of Huron Valley, said at the signing. "This new pet license plate is an important step toward expanding access to much-needed spay/neuter services and supporting Michigan's animal welfare workforce."
Part of a larger package
The license plate bill was one of four animal welfare measures Whitmer signed Monday, July 27. Senate Bills 293 and 294, also sponsored by Polehanki, require restitution from people convicted of animal cruelty and prohibit returning an abused animal to the convicted person. House Bill 4350, sponsored by Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), allows wildlife and bird feeding within 300 feet of a residence with less than two gallons of feed.
Whitmer said at the signing that animals "deserve to be treated with compassion and care" and called on lawmakers to continue supporting shelters statewide.
How to get one
Michigan's special cause fundraising plates cost $35, with registration and other fees applied separately. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to the cause on the plate. Residents can order through the Secretary of State's online portal, by mail, at a self-service station during tab renewal, or at a Secretary of State office, according to the Michigan SOS website.
The animal welfare plate is not yet listed on the Secretary of State's site. Residents interested in ordering should check michigan.gov/sos for availability updates as the state rolls out the new design.
Local connection
The Northville and Novi area is home to active animal rescue groups working in the same space the plate targets. Almost Home Animal Rescue League, a foster-based no-kill nonprofit founded in 1999, operates within a 50-mile radius of the community. Guardian Angel Animal Rescue, Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue, and The KARENS are also active locally. No area organization has been named as a confirmed recipient of plate funds, but the legislation funds the same services these groups provide.
All About Animals Rescue, whose founder Amber Sitko serves as Michigan Pet Alliance treasurer, is the state's largest spay/neuter provider, serving more than 75,000 cats and dogs annually on a budget exceeding $5 million.
