Betty White, who died on New Years Eve just before her 100th birthday, was not only a beloved actress with a decades-long career, she was also an animal advocate. A viral event on social media called The Betty White Challenge encouraged fans of the late actress to donate $5 to animal rescues and shelters in her name on January 17, 2022, which would have been White’s 100th birthday.
Local organizations took part in the online challenge to raise funds for their work with animals.
The Town of Huntington announced that its Betty White Challenge raised $9,585 from 451 donations in one week for The Huntington Animal Shelter’s Give A Dog a Dream program. On January 17th alone 339 donations came in totaling $6,749. They also received donations of collars, leashes and treats for the Town’s shelter dogs.
Give a Dog a Dream is a non-profit organization formed by the Town of Huntington that funds medically necessary surgeries and treatments, advanced behavior modification training, and costs related to finding forever homes for dogs with the Huntington Animal Shelter long-term, who may be difficult to place in a traditional home due to behavioral issues that cannot be retrained through the shelter's rehabilitation program.
“Our generous residents would have made Betty White proud,” said Supervisor Ed Smyth. “Huntington loves our shelter dogs.”
The Shelter takes donations of all types but the items the shelter needs most are flat collars (sizes M, L, XL), flat leashes, treats, and indestructible toys.
In the Town of Islip, the Town’s Animal Shelter and Adopt-A-Pet-Center also joined the Betty White Challenge. The shelters invited residents interested in making a donation in Betty White’s name to either mail $5 to the Animal Shelter, or choose from one of the items available on the shelter’s Amazon Wish List. All items purchased from the Wish List ship for free to the Islip Animal Shelter. Monetary donations to the shelter will be used to purchase bedding, toys, food and other animal necessities.
“Throughout her eight-decade career, Betty White not only won the hearts of millions with her endearing charm and wit, but she also gave generously to causes promoting the well-being of all animals, including many endangered species, and helped in the conservation of wildlife habitats,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “Her memory will live on through residents’ acts of kindness.”
The first donation received by the Town of Islip Animal Shelter and Adopt-A-Pet Center was from Breeze Airways, a new airline partner with Town of Islip's Long Island MacArthur Airport.
“It’s safe to say everyone at Breeze is a Betty White fan. I mean, who isn’t?” said Gareth Edmondson-Jones, Director of Corporate Communications. “Breeze will be donating to Islip’s Animal Shelter and Adopt-a-Pet Center, as well as to animal shelters in the 17 other cities we serve. It’s wonderful that Betty’s lifelong service to animals continues even after her passing.”
Donations of $5 can be mailed to the Town of Islip Animal Shelter, 200 South Technology Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722. Please indicate “Betty White Challenge” with your donation.
The Town of Islip Animal Shelter has cats, dogs and small animals looking for forever homes. If you are interested in adopting one of the loving animals at the shelter, (631) 224-5660 or email animalshelter@islipny.gov to make an appointment. Adoptions are by appointment only.