Betty White was more than a well-known and beloved actress. She was also a huge animal lover, and several nationwide animal shelters asked for donations on Jan. 17, the day that would have marked her 100th birthday.
And the region’s rescue shelters were eager to take part in order to help the animals they care for on a daily basis, and to also honor White, who was the face of animal advocacy.
Theresa Weldon, president of Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin, was “overwhelmed” by the amount of donations Precious Paws received.
The donations, she said, will help defray the nonprofit’s costs to spay, neuter and vaccinate rescue animals, along with bloodwork that could be needed.
Mark Goodman, president of the Venango County Humane Society in Seneca, said $2,210 was received in monetary donations, and the hope is for those donations to go toward the Abbey Foundation, a medical needs fund.
Wendy Turnipseed, president of Tri-County Animal Rescue Center in Shippenville, said the shelter received about $2,000 in monetary donations and about $300 to $400 worth of pet food and supplies.
With the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip still in place, Weldon said she was expecting about $2,000 in donations, but there were several $5 and $10 donations made, which led to the total quickly adding up to higher than expected. The largest donation received was $2,500.
Goodman was “very surprised” by the amount of donations the Humane Society received. “That’s why we started keeping track of (the donations). Before the trend became popular, we already had a few donations.”
Turnispeed said Tri-County was “very touched by the support we got and very thankful to Betty White.” The shelter also received a few donations from a 16-year-old girl, who asked guests to her birthday party to bring donations for the cause.
Weldon, Goodman and Turnipseed all believe that because of how much White loved animals, this was a great way to honor her.
“We would love it,” Weldon enthusiastically said in response to accepting donations in honor of White every year on her birthday. “It’s a nice way to celebrate her life. I think she would be very pleased.”