CLAREMONT — Upper Valley humane societies were among the many animal rescue and shelter groups that saw donations surge last week in honor of what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday on Monday.
The television star, who died Dec. 31, was known for her love of animals and served on the board of Washington, D.C.-based American Humane.
White’s fans took to social media following her death to encourage people to donate to animal agencies as part of what became known as the #BettyWhiteChallenge. Upper Valley organizations were among those to benefit from the campaign.
“The Betty White Challenge is an incredible boost to our organization at a time of year when few gifts come in,” said Nikki Grimes, executive director of the Upper Valley Humane Society in Enfield.
Grimes’ organization, which relies on donations for 85% of its revenue, received more than $10,000 in tributes for the Betty White Challenge, which it will use to support programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life of animals.
“My heart was bursting with gratitude as I imagined this happening at organizations that help animals all over the country and the globe,” Grimes said. “What a beautiful way to honor a special woman who radiated love and gave us all so many laughs.”
Last year, UVHS helped 68 lost pets find their families; performed more than 500 spay and neuter procedures; distributed tens of thousands of pounds of food; provided nearly 15,000 days of care to pets; served over 30,000 meals to shelter animals; and matched over 400 homeless animals with new families, Grimes said.
As of Friday, the Sullivan County Humane Society in Claremont had collected nearly $2,000 from more than 50 donors in memory of Betty White, said Cheryl Koenig, the organization’s director.
The money will go toward routine care and medical care for the cats at the shelter. The shelter currently has 26 cats either being nursed back to health or up for adoption.
On a routine basis, the shelter spays and neuters the cats; provides them with vaccines; treats them for worms and fleas; and tests them for feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus and heart worms, Koenig said.
But some of the shelter’s elderly cats require additional care such as dental extractions, and others have special medical concerns that sometimes require hospitalization. One cat spent most of the past week at Small Animal Veterinary Emergency and Specialty, or SAVES, in Lebanon, she said. Last month, the shelter’s veterinary bill was $16,000.
“Any amount is much appreciated and desperately needed,” Koenig said of the donations.
Meanwhile, the Springfield (Vt.) Humane Society collected approximately $7,000 last week in honor of Betty White, said Anne Eddy, the Springfield organization’s executive director. The funds will go into the group’s general fund.
“Wow, hasn’t this challenge been something,” Eddy said. “Betty continues to help animals even now.”
Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.
