'Betty White Challenge' raises more than $39,000 for local animal rescue groups
Local animal rescue groups saw an increase in donations this week, in light of Golden Girl Betty White’s birthday challenge to donate to animal shelters.
“It seemed like such an appropriate way to recognize a woman who had made a difference throughout her life,” says Melanie Coulter, executive director of the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society.
The challenge went viral across North America, with many animal welfare organizations hoping for a boost in donations on the day that would’ve been the actress’s centennial birthday.
White was a renowned supporter of animal welfare causes.
“The original post I remember seeing was asking people to just give $5 to the organization of their choice,” says Coulter.
“We received donations as high as $500.”
More than $28,000 was raised for the local Humane Society.
“That money goes to support all of the different programs we offer. our adoption program, our spraying/neutered services, our rescue and relief for animals in need,” Coulter says.
She says the donations came at the right time, as contributions tend be lower this time of year.
“This would be what we would raise at a large event like a gala or one of our larger fundraiser like Strays on Street Corners when we used to be able to do those,” Coulter says.
Second Chance Animal Rescue say they’re still working on a final total, but as of this morning, raised $4,500.
President Cherie Smith says more dogs are expected to arrive at the end of the month.
“For one person to be able to do this much for many, it’s an honour to have been able to part take in that,” says Smith.
In Chatham-Kent, The Pet and Wildlife Rescue saw nearly $7,000 in donations.
Manager Myriam Armstrong tells CTV News Windsor the money will help with animal care and vetting.
“Back in the day, pure breads were all the rage and mutts were left out of the picture so she really pushed people to consider adopting a mutt and I’m sure that she’s made a huge difference for a lot more people and animals than we think about,” Armstrong says.
Armstrong hopes the group will see a boost in funding, every January 17.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.