'Betty White challenge' boosts Fall River animal shelters — with a hot dog joint joining in

Audrey Cooney, The Herald News
·2 min read
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A national social media challenge to honor TV legend Betty White is giving a welcome boost to local animal shelters.

“Like every other business, it’s been hard (during the pandemic),” said Gail Furtado, president of Fall River’s Forever Paws Animal Shelter.

White died at the age of 99 last month. The “Golden Girls” star was an outspoken advocate for animal rights who partnered with groups like the Los Angeles branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"Betty White was the real deal," Madeline Bernstein, president of the SPCA Los Angeles, told USA TODAY. "She did not come upon animal welfare issues when it became more trendy to do so. She was like that from, well, she would say from birth."

Forever Paws Animal Shelter Board of Director Chairwoman Gail Furtado and shelter Director Arianna Silva in a Herald News file photo. In the middle, Angelica, the 5-month-old Dachshund mix who came from Sato Care Alliance in Puerto Rico.
Forever Paws Animal Shelter Board of Director Chairwoman Gail Furtado and shelter Director Arianna Silva in a Herald News file photo. In the middle, Angelica, the 5-month-old Dachshund mix who came from Sato Care Alliance in Puerto Rico.

In the wake of White’s death, #BettyWhiteChallenge has trended on social media, encouraging fans to donate to animal shelters on or leading up to the star’s 100th birthday, which is Monday, Jan. 17.

While the shelter has still received some donations, the pandemic has brought a noticeable decrease in money coming in, Furtado said.

“So this little thing with Betty White will definitely help, I hope,” she said.

Furtado said Forever Paws has already seen at least seven donations recently that were specifically made in White’s memory.

The shelter is primarily asking for monetary donations, but they also accept things like puppy and kitten food and cat litter.

At least one local business is getting involved with the challenge, too. County Fare, a hotdog restaurant in Somerset, announced on Facebook that they will donate $2 from every meal sold from now until Jan. 17 to Forever Paws.

Owner Ruth Ann Kelly said running what they’ve dubbed the “Betty White Special” was a no-brainer. The restaurant is already focused on dog lovers, with a wall covered with photos of customers’ dogs and an ongoing collection of donations for Forever Paws.

Plus, Kelly pointed out, White famously had a love for hot dogs and fries.

“It just all sort of fell into place,” she said.

Audrey Cooney can be reached at acooney@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River animal shelters get donations thanks to Betty White challenge