Since news of Betty White’s death broke on New Year’s Eve, the #BettyWhiteChallenge has been swirling across social media, asking fans to donate just $5 to animal charities to celebrate what would have been White’s 100th birthday on January 17th.
In response, fans and animal lovers have done Betty White’s legacy proud, flooding animal rescue groups and shelters with much-needed donations. From the over $94k given to the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association to the thousands raised by small rescue groups, White’s work to save animals marches on. Thanks to money raised by the challenge, dogs, cats, and critters of all make will receive the expensive care they need to thrive.
A Success for Animal Rescue
To say TV Legend & Golden Friend To Animals Betty White loved animals would be an understatement. Not only were all things furry a vast source of joy in her life, but White also held great respect for them, doing everything in her power to better the life of “anything with a leg on each corner.” And that’s the point of the #BettyWhiteChallenge. While we celebrate White’s life, we also get the opportunity to help animals too. And people have jumped at the chance to pitch in.
Trisha Yearwood shared fans raised “over 24k in 15 minutes” for Dottie’s Yard Fund, a charity for animals she began in 2021 in honor of her late dog, Dottie. In central Indiana, the Humane Society for Hamilton County reported donations reached more than $35,000. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA) shared they’ve received over $400,000 in donations in White’s name.
And TMZ reported, “There’s also places like K9s for Warriors, Puppy Jake, and Days End Farm Horse Rescue … which raised $4,390, $1,190 and $4,200 for their institutions Monday, respectively.”
And charity groups are making donations to each other too. For example, the Emma Loves Dogs Foundation, an organization started by Geoff and Timmy Mertens in honor of late daughter Emma, donated $1000 to four humane societies in Wisconsin and Indiana.
Check any local news outlet, and you’ll find community animal shelters and rescues giving thanks for all the donations the Betty White Challenge brought them. And these much-needed donations will go far in helping animal welfare groups house, feed, and treat animals like Golden Retriever Zilly.
Zilly Gets Surgery Thanks to the Challenge
Golden Retrievers In Need (GRIN) received around $7,600 from 200 supporters, and these generous donations will help sweet pup Zildjian get the surgery he needs to ease the effects of hip dysplasia.
GRIN shared Zildjian, Zilly for short, came into their care after being relinquished by his owner. Just as he was ready for adoption, “Zilly started limping, and it was determined that he had hip dysplasia and would need FHO surgery.”
Zilly already had surgery on his left hip, but the good boy still needed work on his right side. The funds from the #BettyWhiteChallenge made that possible, and now, GRIN happily reported, “He is currently recovering post-op and resting comfortably in his foster’s home.”
Zilly is one of many dogs benefitting from the challenge, but the work of saving dogs continues rolling forward. We have to keep giving and volunteering because animals will always need our help. Though January 17th has passed, let’s live every day like Betty White and keep saving animals!
To #BeLikeBetty, check out our Be Like Betty collection and feed 20 hungry dogs with every purchase.
H/T: www.tmz.com
Feature: @grinrescue/Instagram
