‘Betty White Challenge:’ How animal groups are choosing to honor her 101st birthday

DAYTON — Animal advocacy organizations are promoting the Betty White Challenge across social media platforms in honor of her 101st birthday.

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Betty White was a well known animal activist working with Los Angeles Zoo, African Wildlife Foundation, and Morris Animal Foundation, among others. She graced such covers as Woman’s World and Modern Maturity Magazines with animals to advocate for their well-being and fair treatment.

White even once said, “You can always tell about somebody by the way they put their hands on an animal,” News Center 7 Reporter Kayla McDermott recalled.

To celebrate and uphold her legacy, animal organizations started up fundraising initiatives for her 101st birthday.

Locally, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton created a donations page to “honor her memory,” a spokesperson for the organization wrote on their Facebook post. “We encourage everyone to keep her legacy alive by donating to a local animal shelter.”

If you cannot donate, non-profit animal organizations are always looking for volunteers, President & CEO of the Humane Society of Greater Dayton Brian Weltge told McDermott.

“Walking some dogs, playing with them, socializing with them are all huge benefits to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton,” Weltge stated.

“The #BettyWhiteChallenge is the perfect time to be a voice for the voiceless and, like Betty, you can help ensure animals are safe and free from suffering,” the spokesperson said.

Donations will help fund such things as food, beds, toys, and medical care for animals in the shelter.

“Betty White was a legend and demonstrated through her kindness and big heart what it meant to be an advocate for animals,” President & CEO of the Humane Society of Greater Dayton Brian Weltge said.

“We hope that through this campaign, our community will come together and ‘paw-it-forward’ to celebrate this amazing woman and to honor the legacy of love and care she gave to so many animals through the years,” Weltge continued.

There is currently no goal amount set, McDermott reported.

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