The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or MDARD has distributed $150,000 in grants to 28 registered animal shelters in the state including two shelters in the U.P. The Animal Welfare Grants are funded by Michigander who choose the Animal Welfare fund box on their state tax returns. One hundred percent of those contributions goes directly to help better care for local animals. Since 2010, MDARD has distributed more than $2 million to over 333 animal shelters. The Department of Ag and Rural Development received 65 applications for this past grant cycle from organizations across the state. The Delta Animal Shelter in Escanaba will receive just over $1,500 and the Ontonagon County Animal Protection Agency will receive $4,000.