DONATE FOR BETTY: Betty White was a well-known animal lover. She would have turned 100 on Jan. 17, but sadly she passed away Dec. 31, 2021.
Betty attributed her strong love for animals to her parents, who taught her compassion for all animals, regardless of their size.
She was a dedicated advocate for the Los Angeles Zoo, spending more than 40 years as not only an advocate but a trustee and chair for the zoo. She believed zoo animals were ambassadors to the public and were a great way to show people the dwindling populations of fascinating living beings before they reached extinction.
White also was a national ambassador for American Humane and received the National Humanitarian Medal in 2012 for a lifetime of helping animals.
She was also a spokesperson for the Guide Dogs for the Blind for more than 30 years. She even adopted Pontiac, a Golden Retriever that served as a guide dog and suffered a leg injury and was unable to continue his career.
In honor of Betty, some people have suggested donating to an organization that helps animals.
The Betty White Challenge is gaining momentum, with a suggested amount of $5 to donate on her birthday to the organization of the donor’s choice. Others suggest donating $17 for her birth date.
Locally, we have the McKean County SPCA, The Cattaraugus County SPCA, EARS (Empire Animal Rescue Society) in Salamanca, NY and No Feline Left Behind. Any of these organizations would be happy to receive a donation.
To donate to the McKean County SPCA, visit https://mckspca.org/waystohelp. Monetary donations and the purchase of items off the SPCA’s Amazon wish list are both options on that page.
