Multiple animal rescues across Chatham-Kent are sharing their appreciation after more than $15,000 was raised locally in honour of legendary actress and long-time animal rights activist Betty White.
On Monday, people around the globe were encouraged to take part in the Betty White Challenge by donating to a local animal rescue or shelter as a tribute on what would have been White's 100th birthday.
White passed away at the age of 99 on December 31.
Donations poured in to several animal rescue organizations across Chatham-Kent, including Charlotte's Freedom Farm, an animal sanctuary in Dresden.
According to Charlotte's Freedom Farm Tour Guide and Social Media Coordinator Meaghan Marton, they received over 120 online donations totalling over $3,000. Charlotte's Freedom Farm Founder Lauren Edwards also owns multiple Pet Valu locations in Windsor-Essex, which participated in the challenge as well and was able to bring in a few thousand dollars more for the organization.
Marton said they did not know what to expect when they decided to take part in the challenge and said everyone at the farm is blown away and grateful for the support. Marton added that donations still continue to pour in.
"We were super surprised how many donations were funnelling in from people [on Monday]. All of us know how much Betty White was loved across the world," said Marton. "People love animals and they're always willing to donate. I think the combination of people's love for Betty White combined with people's love for animals really helped. "
Charlotte’s Freedom Farm is home to dozens of different rescue animals, many of which come to the sanctuary with health problems or as orphans before being rehabilitated.
"Betty" the goat at Charlotte's Freedom Farm in Dresden. (Photo via Charlotte's Freedom Farm Facebook)
Some of the animals at the farm include dogs Winston and Taylor, who was rescued from Lebanon and brought to the farm earlier this month. Both dogs were born without useable front legs and require frequent vet visits as well rehabilitation.
In addition to emergency medical costs, Marton said the money raised on Monday will go towards ongoing day-to-day costs including heating the farm's barn and feeding the animals.
Charlotte's is even home to a 13-year-old goat aptly named Betty, who was brought to the farm in 2019 along with her mom, Blanche.
"She's this cute little goat," said Marton. "She's got a special, funny personality. She holds her own against the bigger goats but she's also shy and sweet at the same time. So it was special to see the love for our Betty, the love for Betty White and just for all of the animals. Overall it was great."
Myriam Armstrong, Operations Manager at Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) in Chatham, said she was also shocked to see just how much of a success the Betty White Challenge was.
"We thought we'd probably get a few big Betty White fans come in a donate in her memory but we didn't think it would be this much," she explained. "What people had done is donate $5 for each pet they had or $5 per family member or workplaces where each employee donated $5. So it added up very quickly."
According to Armstong, PAWR received a total of $6,600 in donations on Monday, and she said donations still continue to trickle in.
"It really humbles you...Animals keep coming in, we're here seven days a week so it never stops," she said. "Just knowing that so many cared, there are so many animals lovers out there, it just makes the world feel a little bit smaller and makes you feel more connected."
PAWR operates two shelters in Chatham-Kent, caring for abandoned and surrendered animals. The organization also enforces public and pet safety through by-law enforcement. According to Armstrong, the money will be used to help with the daily needs of the animals.
"We do have a few dogs right now that need a little bit of extra help," she explained. "We're actually going to have somebody come in to work with them extra every day to try and give them a bit of a better time here in the shelter. So I think that will be the perfect way to use up some of the funds."
Armstrong added that she hopes this is just one of the many ways White's legacy and her love for animals lives on.
"During her early career, Betty White had encouraged a lot of her fans to consider adopting mixed-breed dogs, which was really way before her time,"Armstrong said. "It was a time where purebreds were all the rage. Sometimes we have great-looking purebred dogs at the shelter, but we encourage people to look at a mixed breed. They're amazing dogs."
Elsewhere, CK Animal Rescue, a non-profit that provides foster homes for cats, dogs and small animals while working to find them permanent homes, received over $4,600 in donations thanks to the Betty White Challenge.
Being a 100 per cent volunteer-based organization that relies heavily on fundraising events and donations, CK Animal Rescue Media Specialist Joyelle Koch said the past two years have been a big challenge for fundraising due to the pandemic.
Koch said Monday's donations were a welcome surprise.
"It's a really great feeling. Animal rescue is one of the things that has really taken a huge toll because of COVID-19...We haven't been able to do any fundraiser for almost two years. That has taken a huge toll on the money that we have coming in," Koch explained. "We have more animals and less money to care for them."
Many of the dogs that come to CK Animal Rescue were scheduled to be euthanized from high kill shelters, former breeder dogs, from hoarding situations, or senior animals as well as many local owner surrenders.
Koch said a bulk of the donations will be used towards veterinary bills for things like day-to-day surgeries, medicine and immunization.
"Thank you to everyone who donated a single penny to any animal rescue anywhere in the world" she said.