ONTONAGON — Ontonagon County Animal Protection Inc., was awarded a $2,055 Animal Welfare Fund grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Animal Welfare Fund is supported by Michiganders during tax season when they check the fund’s box on Form 4642, Voluntary Contributions Schedule on their state tax returns.

Since 2010, MDARD has distributed more than $1.4 million to over 213 local animal shelters. One hundred percent of the contributions made to this fund go directly to these shelters to support efforts that increase sterilization rates among dogs and cats prior to adoption, provide anti-cruelty training for animal law enforcement agencies, offer proper animal care programs to the public and assist shelters with the unreimbursed costs of care for animals involved in legal investigations.