Hollywood actress Betty White was a lifelong animal lover, so after her death, a social media campaign turned her 100th birthday into a challenge to support animal rescue groups.
The actress, who died on Dec. 31, was a dedicated animal-welfare activist, long-time volunteer, and board member of the American Humane Society. After her death, fans on social media asked people to give $5 to any rescue, shelter or animal agency by Jan. 17 to honour the Golden Girls star on what would have been her milestone birthday.
The #BettyWhiteChallenge quickly spread, and residents in the Moose Jaw area opened their wallets to support several animal rescue organizations for a total of $23,794.50.
Humane society
The Moose Jaw Humane Society received $10,000 during the challenge, which executive director Dana Haukaas thought was a nice gift.
“It went really well. We were very surprised at the support of the community. We know we live in an animal-loving community, but they really came through,” she said, adding the organization did not expect to receive that amount of money considering the initial challenge focused on giving $5.
Donations came in steadily during Jan. 17, through the website, by e-transfer or in-person donations. Haukaas joked that the shelter’s front desk receptionist was hopping all day.
Besides financial donations, Moose Jaw couple Rob and Denise Hanley used their Superstore points and purchased bags and boxes of animal treats.
The money will cover the organization’s veterinarian bills, its biggest monthly expenses, said Haukaas. The humane society usually breathes easier if its bills are under $10,000.
Haukaas replied, “I wish,” when asked if she ever met White. However, she did enjoy the actress in Golden Girls and has passed on that love to her children. She also enjoyed the actress in The Carol Burnett Show and on Hollywood Squares.
The Moose Jaw Humane Society’s website is https://mjhs.ca/, and can also be found on Facebook.
Lucky Paws Dog Rescue
Lucky Paws Dog Rescue is a volunteer-based non-profit group that operates in Regina, Fort Qu’Appelle and Moose Jaw. It is a foster home-based organization and does not have a building to showcase its rescue dogs.
On Betty White’s birthday, the organization received $2,205 from 82 donors. This included one donation of $300, five donations of $100, and the rest in smaller amounts.
“It’s unbelievable the amount of support we’ve seen from everybody from this challenge. Honestly, it’s really humbling,” said Jennifer Gray, a board director.
Lucky Paws Dog Rescue will use the money to feed its puppies and vaccinate the animals against diseases, she continued. She thought it was a “godsend” to receive the funding to ensure the animals receive appropriate medical care.
With a laugh, Gray added that she had “not had the pleasure” of meeting White while she was too young to have seen the Golden Girls on TV. However, she did enjoy White’s hilarious interaction with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock on the set of the movie The Proposal.
For more information about Lucky Paws Dog Rescue, visit www.luckypawsdogrescue.ca/lucky-paws or its Facebook page.
Flirting with Fido
Flirting with Fido is a registered private non-profit dog rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing organization based in Victoria, British Columbia and Moose Jaw.
The organization received $6,200 in donations from numerous donors during the challenge.
“We do not profit from our rescue efforts, and the public’s support means the world to us,” Flirting with Fido said on Facebook. “Donations go toward the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of animals who have been neglected, abused, and abandoned across Canada.”
To learn more about Flirting with Fido, visit its website at https://flirtingwithfido.ca/ or its Facebook page.
Running Wild Rescue
Running Wild Rescue, a non-profit organization that works to save animals in need, received $5,389.50 during the challenge.
"Thank you so much to everyone that donated! Betty would be so incredibly proud in honour of her name," the group said on Facebook.
