For nearly a century, Betty White was a tireless and devoted animal welfare advocate. Through her 70-year support of American Humane, longer than any other supporter in our history, she championed the cause of millions of our furred, finned and feathered friends around the world.
Betty said her parents instilled in her a compassion for all creatures great and small, and she even aspired to become a forest ranger or zookeeper before going to Hollywood. And although Betty, known for her sass and charm, became a world-renowned actress with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, her lifelong love of animals was no act.
Betty volunteered her passionate service as a member of American Humane’s board of directors, supported our “No Animals Were Harmed®” program protecting animals in film and television, lent her services to our fundraising activities, acted as a judge and presenter for the nationally televised American Humane Hero Dog Awards, and served as the chair of our now 106-year-old nationwide “Be Kind to Animals Week®,” the most successful humane education campaign and the oldest commemorative week in U.S. history.
Betty reflected our core values of compassion, caring and hope, which is why we bestowed upon her our highest honor, the National Humanitarian Medal. She has always been a one-of-a-kind phenomenon, and we are honored to have known and worked with her during so much of her truly remarkable life.
Dr. Robin Ganzert, our CEO and president, was featured on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir and Good Morning America, discussing how we can give Betty the legacy she deserves in honor of her upcoming birthday on January 17th.
“We have seen such an uptick in donations all due to Betty White. Betty White would be smiling from heaven as she thinks about the Betty White Challenge on her birthday,” said Dr. Ganzert on Good Morning America.
We hope you will keep Betty in your heart by joining the #BettyWhiteChallenge and making a donation in her name. Together, we can make the world a kinder, better place for all animals in her honor.
Thank you, Betty, for inspiring us every day.
