On what would be Betty White’s 100th birthday, January 17, animal lovers are being encouraged to pick a local animal rescue or shelter to donate $5 in Betty White’s name.
The beloved “Golden Girls” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” actress died of a stroke on New Year’s Eve, just shy of her 100th birthday. She was a known animal welfare advocate.
A message from the Southampton Animal Shelter stated, “Betty famously loved animals. To honor her legacy, we have joined the challenge and ask for your help. Whether its $5 or $100 lets give Betty the movement she deserves.”
The initiative is being promoted through the hashtag #BettyWhiteChallenge.
American Humane, which protects the safety, welfare and well-being of animals, a foundation supported by White for years, wrote, “For nearly a century, our dear friend Betty White was a compassionate and devoted animal advocate. Through her 70-year support of American Humane, she volunteered her service as a member of American Humane’s board of directors, supported our ‘No Animals Were Harmed’ program protecting animals in film and television, served as a judge and presenter for the nationally televised American Humane Hero Dog Awards, and served as the chair of our nationwide ‘Be Kind to Animals Week,’ the most successful humane education campaign and the oldest commemorative week in U.S. history.”
“We hope you will consider joining us in honoring Betty White’s legacy and helping save countless animal lives from heartbreaking cases of cruelty, natural disasters, and so much more,” the email continued.
White was also a big supporter of the Morris Animal Foundation, an animal health charity based in Colorado, which referred to her as a “champion of animals everywhere.”
“Betty devoted her life to improving the lives of animals,” the website continued, while urging fans to donate to its Betty White Wildlife Fund, which was established in 2010.