#TheBettyWhiteChallenge celebrated Betty White’s 100th birthday

In honor of the late Betty White, who would’ve turned 100 on January 17th, animal shelters, rescues, and zoos across the United States celebrated the special lady’s birthday with #TheBettyWhiteChallenge, a movement that funds are raised for the advocacy of animals and bringing new life to adopted ones.

The movement began shortly after The Golden Girls alum passed away on December 31st when fans decided to bestow donations to their favorite animal shelters.  What started as a small idea blossomed into something monumental.

For a minimum of $5, patrons can donate to an animal shelter of their choice or a rescue organization.

One nonprofit that benefitted from #TheBettyWhiteChallenge is the Wildlife Learning Center located in Sylmar, California.  For years, she gave her substantial love and support to the organization and had a porcupine couple named after her and her late husband, Allan Ludden.  Betty and Allan (the porcupines) birthed several babies in the decade they’ve been together and much to Betty’s (the human) delight, she interacted with them as if they were her grandchildren.

The Los Angeles Zoo opened in 1966, and White was on the Board of Trustees since 1974 up until her death. It received donations in light of #TheBettyWhiteChallenge. The money will not only assist the zoo citizens but will also aid wildlife conservation and education.  The Los Angeles chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers made Betty an honorary zookeeper in 2013.

Betty has always been an animal advocate and lover.  As a child in the Great Depression, her family took in several a when owners fell on hard times and could no longer provide care for them. At one point, her family had a pack of twenty-six dogs living with them.  Most recently, Betty had a golden retriever named Pontiac who crossed the “rainbow bridge” in 2017.  Yet, her love wasn’t limited to just pets but expanded to all animals, from the very big to the tiniest, and whether they’d be furry, scaly, feathered, or were crawling insects, Betty made sure all were given her undivided attention.

In 2006, the city of Los Angeles honored White as the “Ambassador to the Animals” for her lifelong dedication and support for creatures.  She launched her nonprofit charities to further extend animal advocacy and anonymously paid to safely transport the otters and penguins from the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. She did the same during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  This act of kindness was only disclosed recently by the aquarium.

In celebration of White’s 100th birthday, the LA Zoo will open a silk rose garden for Betty’s character in The Golden Girls, along with guided tours to her favorite exhibits. Visitors will be allowed to write messages on the wall for Betty in the Allan Ludden Plaza.

And just was her secret for her passion and love for animals?  Betty shared a quote with Entertainment Tonight in 2015 for her enormous generosity.

"“I just like animals better than people. It’s that simple.”"

The world may have lost a beloved soul, but her legacy will remain alive.