LANSING – Animal welfare societies may get more money for their pet causes if the state lets taxpayers earmark part of their refunds for sterilization and adoption.

A proposal by Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, would create a tax refund checkoff option to support animal welfare efforts of groups such as the Humane Society, and to provide care information for pet owners.

Cosponsors are Sens. Jim Barcia, D-Bay City, and John Pappageorge, R-Troy. Cal Morgan, executive director of the Michigan Human Society in Rochester Hills, said that at least 263,000 animals -- mostly dogs and cats -- were surrendered to Michigan animal welfare facilities in 2005.

Of them, nearly half were placed in homes, but the remaining 150,000 were euthanized, he said.

Morgan said cats are more difficult to place than dogs, and older animals are often passed over for younger ones.

The proposed animal welfare fund would be “another way to save animals’ lives,” he said.

The new fund would help ease the burden on shelters by sterilizing more animals to prevent overpopulation and by putting more money into anti-cruelty programs.  The Humane Society is supported primarily by private funds.

“We’re very optimistic that all of the people who support animals will support this bill,” said Morgan.

Stephanie Baron, public and media relations coordinator for the Humane Society, said the checkoff would “allow taxpayers to either automatically contribute a portion of their tax refund to an animal welfare fund or opt to add an amount to their tax liability specifically designated for this purpose.”

Colorado, Maine and some other states have used similar tax checkoffs to decrease pet overpopulation.

Alicia Gensler, Garcia’s legislative director, said if the proposal passes, the fund must generate at least $100,000 a year to remain on the checkoff list.  If it falls short for two consecutive years, then the animal checkoff would end.

Garcia’s bill is under consideration along other tax checkoff proposals for prostate and breast cancer research.

The checkoff bills have cleared the Senate Finance Committee and await vote by the full Senate.