I am easily distracted by dogs. My mother even had a sweater custom-made for me with big white letters that read, “I am Easily Distracted by Dogs,” as if I am wearing a warning sign for pet owners to watch out because I will approach you and ask your permission to pet your fur baby. But do you know who else was easily distracted by dogs? Betty White. America’s reigning sweetheart for over half a century would do anything and everything in her power to help animals, specifically with her rescue the Betty White Wildlife Fund). She used her success to help others who weren’t as fortunate as she was, people and animals alike.
In 2005 after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, White paid for a private jet to fly out to the Audubon Aquarium to evacuate and airlift the sea otters and penguins to the Monterey Aquarium in California for safety. Like almost all of the companies and organizations that were affected by Hurricane Katrina, the Audubon Aquarium could not provide the resources the aquatic life needed. They had no way to send out messages to ask for help because of the destruction. White did her own research to find out which animals in Louisiana needed her to help the most.
Betty White frequented all kinds of zoos, aquariums, and animal sanctuaries throughout her life. She served on the nonprofit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association board since 1974 and consistently volunteered since 1966. By 2013, White was named an official zookeeper of the Los Angeles Zoo due to her significant contribution to building a natural elephant habitat and sanctuary, helping elephants rehabilitate ever since. Animal health has always been important to White, and she constantly inspired her followers to educate themselves and learn how they can help the wonderful creatures that have lived on this planet longer than we have. In 2010, the Betty White Wildlife Rapid Response Fund was formed (currently named the Betty White Wildlife Fund). Their goal is to provide resources and donations to aid animal health, especially after natural disasters such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 and the wildfires in Australia in 2021.
White was a dog lover at heart. She owned 26 dogs throughout her life. Pontiac was a golden retriever White adopted in 2005 after the silly pooch failed out of Guide Dogs School for the Blind. Pontiac had a hard time focusing, and he just wanted to greet every person he saw on the street. Pontiac’s friendliness was all White needed to see to know he was the perfect dog. And of course, since 1986, she often helped out Guide Dogs School for the Blind by providing funds and resources needed throughout the years.
January 17th, 2022, would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, and although she may not have been on this earth with us, we certainly celebrated her. My family donated to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in honor of Betty White because it is what she would’ve wanted, and it only felt right to pay it forward on her national holiday. In fact, the Betty White Challenge is taking the world by storm, challenging each household to donate five dollars to the Nashville Humane Association in Betty White’s name. Currently, over $50,000 has been donated. White’s team has released a final video statement from the beloved actress on social media, thanking her followers for the love, support, and donations to animal rescues and organizations all over the country. Betty White has done more service than anyone could possibly fathom, especially while being a full-time actress. She has left a mark on us all, and now it is our duty to an act of service for our furry friends- an act of Betty White.
Words by Amanda Applebaum.