Iowa animal shelters see a surge in Betty White Challenge donations

The late actress and comedian Betty White was well known for her on-screen roles, but her passion for animal welfare has inspired fans around the world to honor her memory by opening their wallets.

To celebrate what would have been the TV star and animal activist’s 100th birthday on Monday, Jan. 17, local shelters across the country received donations in honor of the #BettyWhiteChallenge, many without even making a know the effort.

Animal rescues and shelters in central Iowa have received tens of thousands of dollars. In the Des Moines area, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport both reported receiving more than $30,000 each. The Ames Animal Shelter had raised $7,500, the Boone Humane Society received over $5,000, and the Story County Animal Shelter received an additional $1,600.

“I didn’t know she was such a big animal advocate, and then I started doing research,” Boone Humane Society volunteer and board member Kim Adams told the Ames Tribune. “(She said) she kept working so she could take care of the animals.”

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“It’s truly amazing that one woman could cause such a stir in the hearts of so many millions of people,” added AHeinz57 CEO Amy Heinz. “I felt really weird having a fundraiser about his death – it felt fake to me at first – but now thinking about the bigger picture of what happened… it really puts focus on shelter animals.”

The Ames Animal Shelter received an influx of donations as part of the #BettyWhiteChallenge Friday, January 21, 2022 in Ames, Iowa.

White’s love for animals began in early childhood, according to NBC’s TODAY show, when she helped care for pets her parents had taken from owners unable to care for them. in the midst of the Great Depression. She then created the television show “The Pet Set” in the 1970s, raised funds for many animal-related organizations and became interested in wildlife conservation.

While White may not be known for her animal advocacy, Ames Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards met the beloved actress when Pet Village opened. of Long Beach, California, of which White was a major benefactor. Edwards said he was living in California at the time and was lucky enough to join White and other defenders for lunch when the center opened.

“She was such an amazing person and she loved animals so much,” he said. “I hope she knows what happened after she died.”

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Shelters and rescue officials in central Iowa say most of the funds raised will go to support the medical care of their animals. At the Boone Humane Society, a cat will receive much-needed dental care, Adams said. A pup given to AHeinz57 will have surgery on its front leg, where a growth plate has likely been destroyed.

Shelters also offer free neutering and neutering programs. The city’s budget for the Ames Animal Sanctuary covers basic needs, Edwards said, while donations help the shelter go beyond that.

“A lot of them (donations) save lives,” Edwards said. “If we take an animal that has been, for example, hit by a car, and we take it to an emergency veterinary hospital to see what can be done to help save a life, we need to be able to have the funds to do so.”

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The donations come as shelters continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Heinz said they continue to operate with 25% fewer donations than in the pre-pandemic era. The rescue closed her boarding school which largely helped fund her shelter after the pandemic ground nearly came to a standstill.

Ames Animal Shelter volunteer Sarah Fritz pets a cat Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 in Ames, Iowa.

Although the challenge only calls for a donation equivalent to the cost of a foot-long sandwich, Edwards said many went above and beyond for the late Golden Girl. And some have even suggested the #BettyWhiteChallenge become an annual event, as January is typically a slow month for donations, Adams said.

Adams said animal shelters are now more reliant on shelters, expanding their ability to care for animals through community support. Heinz said their shelter is almost entirely funded by donations.

The influx following White’s death included a large number of small donations, as fans were challenged to donate $5 to their nearest shelter. Adams said the Boone organization received donations from more than 200 people this week.

“I just want people to know that this $5 donation can really make a difference.”

Danielle Gehr is a political and government reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached by email at [email protected], by phone at (515) 663-6925 or on Twitter at @Dani_Gehr.

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