State denies tax donation going toward training for euthanasia
When Michiganders filing income taxes this year check off a box set up by the Legislature to allow for donations to the Michigan Animal Welfare Fund, they might think they're aiding pet adoption and spay-neuter programs.
But the Michigan Department of Agriculture's guidelines on its Web site on how the money could be used to also include training in how to euthanize dogs and cats.
Dr. Steven Halstead, state veterinarian, said none of the $105,000 in 2010 grants to be announced next week would go toward euthanasia training. But he said such training could be funded in the future because "it's certainly something we want to see done correctly." Debbie Schutt of Bloomfield Township, who chairs the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance, a coalition of public and private shelters across southeast Michigan, has sent a protest letter to state officials over the matter.
"I can assure you that no one contributed money to this fund to teach anyone how to kill animals," she said.
Where does money go?
When graphic designer Beth Farley checked the box marked "Animal Welfare Fund" with her state income tax return last month, she thought she was being compassionate to animals.
Farley, 46, of Harper Woods, said she had no idea that by donating part of her expected tax refund money she could help to train someone in how to euthanize dogs and cats.
She said she also thought that the nonprofit spay-neuter clinic where she volunteers, All About Animals in Warren, may be eligible to receive some of her donation.
Nonprofits eligible
State officials in charge of Michigan's Animal Welfare Fund said last week that - contrary to guidelines they published on the Internet - no fund dollars are to be awarded this year to euthanasia training.
While acknowledging that the guideline wording earmarks spay-neuter funds for veterinarians, they add that nonprofit animal groups such as the Michigan Humane Society are eligible - if they are licensed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
"I just assumed this would go toward spaying and neutering" at nonprofit providers, Farley said.
State tax forms say the check-off money will provide "grants to help finance the spaying and neutering of homeless pets (and) promote the importance of spaying and neutering animals to the community."
The tax forms, which include Form 4462, also say some money will go toward public education about animal care and toward the care of the animals involved in cruelty court cases.
State tax forms do not mention euthanasia. Nor do tax forms say spay-neuter grants would be targeted to "licensed private practi-tioners/veterinarians."
Nonprofit spay-neuter groups such as All About Animals can't receive grants under current guidelines because they're not licensed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, agency spokeswoman Bridget Patrick said.
Animal welfare advocates say nonprofit clinics provide discounted spaying and neutering to thousands of low-income pet owners. Research shows such owners are a key source of stray animals, Schutt said.
"We would not qualify (for the grants) for either our clinics or our phone service," said Amber Sitko of Roseville, a Microsoft database consultant and volunteer chair of All About Animals.
The nonprofit group in Warren and Pontiac performed 8,003 spay and neuter procedures in 2009 for as little as $10 when customers showed economic hardship, Sitko said. Private-practice veterinarians generally charge $150 to $200, she said.
State Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, co-sponsor of the bill in 2007 that created the Animal Welfare Fund, said he instructed a member of his staff to investigate the guidelines after he received a letter raising concerns from Michigan Pet Fund Alliance.
"People who give $5 on their (state tax) check-off - or whatever they give - they're assuming the purpose is not to euthanize animals," he said.
Officials declined to identify the grant awardees for now, but said 11 grants of between $7,060 and $10,000 had been awarded: six for spay-neuter services, one for the purchase of surgery recovery crates, and four for spay/neuter surgical equipment.
