Betty White and Animals: A Lifelong Dedication to Animal Welfare

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Betty White and Animals: A Lifelong Passion for Advocacy

Betty White delighted viewers over the years with such characters as the hilariously naive Rose on The Golden Girls and, in later years, as the irascible Elka on Hot in Cleveland. But the role that this amazing actress — who died at just short of 100 years old on Dec. 31, 2021 — embraced most enthusiastically was that of animal advocate.

A Legacy of Commitment to Animal Welfare

Betty White and animals were inseparable throughout her life, as shown by her extensive contributions to various organizations:

• Trustee for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for decades.
• Involvement with the Morris Animal Foundation as a trustee, canine division vice president, president of the board of trustees, and spokeswoman.
• Established the Betty White Wildlife Rapid Response Fund in 2010, matching donations up to $25,000 to support researchers and veterinarians in addressing natural disasters and diseases.

Recognition for Her Animal Advocacy

White’s dedication to animals was widely recognized:

• Received the American Humane Association’s National Humanitarian Medal and Legacy Award in 2012.
• Praised by Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Association, as “a tireless and devoted animal advocate” who embodied their core values of compassion, caring, and hope.

Betty White and Animals: Finding Small Ways to Make a Big Difference

Over the years, many actors and actresses have used their celebrity to help animals. For instance:

• Richard Basehart (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) started Actors and Others for Animals after witnessing a small dog being thrown out of a moving car on a Los Angeles freeway.
• Tippi Hedren (The Birds, Marnie) founded Shambala, a big-cat refuge in Acton, California, in 1981.

Betty White and Animals: A Lifelong Commitment in Her Work

Betty White was at the forefront of animal advocacy. Beyond her work with various animal welfare groups, she also authored several books that reflected her lifelong love affair with animals. She even found ways to incorporate animals into her television shows:

• In her series Pet Set (1971), she wrote and produced episodes that revolved around celebrities and their pets.
• Her character, “Golden Girl” Rose, was frequently seen caring for animals.
• In an episode of Hot in Cleveland, Elka (played by White) was caught shooting paintballs at women wearing fur coats.

How We Can Follow Betty White’s Example

While we may not have Betty White’s fame or resources, we can still make a difference for animals. Here are some small yet impactful ways:

• Fundraising
• Fostering
• Volunteering
• Trap-neuter-release

Betty White and animals will always be a testament to the difference one person can make when they dedicate their life to a cause.

Here’s a quick look at the woman known as “the most liked and trusted celebrity in the world”:

Betty White and Animals: Forget the Politics, and Follow Your Heart

Betty White’s parents were “tremendous animal lovers,” and they passed that love on to her. Interestingly, despite her deep commitment, Betty White didn’t consider herself an activist. “I’m not into animal rights,” she said in a 2009 interview.

A Focus on Health and Welfare Over Activism

White’s approach to animal advocacy was clear:

• She didn’t engage in the political or demonstrative sides of animal rights.
• Her dedication was entirely focused on the health and welfare of animals.
• White believed that animal activists often concentrate solely on the heartbreaking aspects and forget to celebrate the gains made.

This approach received some criticism. For instance, in a 2011 article, Michael Mountain, co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society, questioned her methods, stating, “I don’t doubt her good intentions, but Betty White is a classic example of the kind of love that’s sometimes more about one’s own feelings than about the true needs of the animals.”

A Matter of Conscience, Not Politics

Despite the criticism, White’s focus on health and welfare aligns closely with what many consider the true needs of animals. If those needs aren’t met, nothing else really matters. As Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, noted, animal welfare is “a matter purely of conscience,” not politics.

Betty White and Animals: Accepting Your Personal Responsibility

Betty White believed strongly in the responsibility we have toward the animals we care for. This belief extended to all pets, especially cats and dogs. As White once said, “If everyone took responsibility for their animals, we wouldn’t have a lot of the animal problems that we do.”

The Importance of Personal Responsibility in Animal Welfare

Betty White and animals were synonymous with a message of kindness and responsibility:

• White’s philosophy can be summed up in her own words: “Take responsibility and breathe kindness.”
• We have a duty to care for the animals we have tamed.
• Responsibility includes ensuring the well-being of our pets.