Our First Year Without Betty White
By Kathleen Silver
Many of you are likely aware that the world lost a shining star on New Year’s Eve 2021: Ms. Betty White. A well-known actress, comedian, and producer; Ms. White left her mark on the world. She passed away peacefully at the age of 99. A life well-lived, Betty White was a pioneer of early television in the 1950s and continued to act in shows well past her 90th birthday. This month, we would like to honor how she used her fame to help animals.
Improving Zoo Life
Throughout her life, Ms. White owned many dogs and cats. Her love, however, didn’t stop with her own companion animals. She served on the Los Angeles Zoo’s board for over 50 years, advocating and raising funds for state-of-the-art gorilla and orangutan exhibits for all to enjoy. Betty told AARP Magazine: “I got involved with the Los Angeles Zoo because I was kind of shocked that Los Angeles had such a poor zoo inside. I’ve never been one to stand around and criticize. I’d rather get inside and see what’s going on, see how I can help.” In 2012, Betty spent her 90th birthday at the zoo.
Leveraging TV to Help Animals
Her passion for animals crossed with her on-screen work in 1971 when she produced and hosted a show called Pet Set. The show featured both wild animals and her celebrity friends’ pets, including movie star Doris Day and game show host Bob Barker. Throughout the series, Betty White made it a point to discuss home pet care with her costars and invited animal experts to discuss wildlife preservation.
She also wrote several books and hosted more television specials like Hero Dog Awards, Big Cat Week, and Betty Goes Wild. Betty White even starred as a returning character on the popular animated series Pound Puppies as “Agatha McLeish” in 2010.
In 2009, Betty White told TV Guide, “I’m the luckiest person in the world — my life splits in absolute half: half animals, half show business.”
Working with Foundations
From 1971 to 2013, Ms. White worked with the Morris Animal Foundation. This foundation supports research and development of vaccines, surgical techniques and technologies, and other medications to revolutionize the world of animal healthcare. She served as the foundation’s president emeritus while it developed the groundbreaking feline leukemia and Potomac horse vaccines.
In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, she provided the donation that established the Betty White Wildlife Fund and sponsored over 30 animal health studies on behalf of the organization. This fund still exists at the Morris Animal Foundation as the threat to wild species continues.
Leaving a Legacy
Betty White’s recent shining achievement came after her death. Her fans took to social media to ask animal lovers to give back in honor of Betty White’s outstanding dedication to animal activism. Called the “Betty White Challenge,” — the event went viral. Leading up to and culminating on January 17th, what would have been Betty’s 100th birthday, the #BettyWhiteChallenge raised a whopping $12.7 million worldwide! We are so thankful that many folks, including numerous new supporters, decided to honor Betty White’s legacy by donating to the Humane Society of Loudoun County.
This year, the #BettyWhiteChallenge lives on! Please visit our donation page to make a donation in memory of Ms. White to help the at-risk and homeless animals in our community. Thank you!