Local animal shelters collect donations in honor of Betty White birthday challenge

Kate Mick, shelter coordinator of the Wayne County Dog Shelter, said donations can really affect how organizations like the shelter work.

“Some days it's the difference between being able to do what we need to do and not,” Mick said.

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With animals and pet owners always in need of help, Mick said any donations they receive can make a big impact and with the recent rise of "The Betty White Challenge" some shelters have seen a huge increase in donations.

The challenge encourages people to donate to their local animal shelters and humane societies on Jan. 17 in honor of the late actress. Several organizations in Ashland and Wayne counties have said they are already receiving donations.

What the challenge is and what it looks like locally

Betty White, who starred in countless shows and movies, died on Dec. 31, 2021, roughly two weeks before her 100th birthday. To honor her and her love of animals, a trend known as the #BettyWhiteChallenge took off on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The challenge asks people to “pick a local rescue or animal shelter” and donate $5 on Betty White’s birthday, Jan. 17. Several local groups, including the Wayne County Humane Society, the Wayne County Dog Shelter and The Cat House Feline Sanctuary, already have received donations for the challenge.

Lisa Elder, director of the Wayne County Humane Society, said it had heard about the challenge from a board member and made a post on its Facebook page announcing it was participating. Since making the post, Elder said the humane society has raised over $700.

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According to a post on the Facebook page of The Cat House Feline Sanctuary in Ashland County, it also has raised several hundred dollars with the post showing $345 already having been donated.

Mick said the dog shelter has had several monetary donations as well but also was surprised with two dozen dog collars and matching leashes.

What these donations mean to them

While the items each organization needs may vary, Elder said that every item and dollar donated can really make a difference.

“We wouldn't be able to keep our doors open and help as many animals if we didn't have community support. We run mainly on donations,” Elder said.

Community support can go both ways too. Mick said there have been a few times over the past few years that people have reached out for help because they were struggling to provide for their pets during the pandemic.

“We would much rather help them keep their dogs in the home by providing food and occasionally other things as they need and as we have available,” Mick said. “... Whatever donations have come in, if we’re able to share them we like to do that to try and help people be able to keep their own pets in their own home.”

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Whether they get a lot or few donations, Mick said she feels the "Betty White Challenge" is a great way to honor her legacy and hopes people continue to honor her throughout the year.

“I was a big Betty fan,” Mick said. “And I'm sure she would appreciate seeing it happen all through the year and not just on her birthday.”

How to help your local shelters

Mick recommends people reach out to their local shelters to ask what they need because the needs of each place can change over time and they may allow people to donate in different ways.

Online donations have grown in popularity over the years as places like the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Feline Sanctuary now accept donations on their websites and Facebook pages.

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Some organizations also have “wish lists” on their websites, including things like what types of food they need or cleaning supplies, allowing people to buy things through Amazon or purchase items themselves and drop them off during that location’s hours of operation.

Volunteering time to help care for animals or clean shelters is also a big help, Mick and Elder both shared, and it can look different at each place.

For the humane society, those interested in volunteering should reach out to the society’s volunteer coordinator, Elder said. The dog shelter, Mick said, requires anyone interested in volunteering to take a training session before they can take on their first shift.

For further details about each organization's form of donations and volunteering, go to the following websites: The Cat House Feline Sanctuary, Ashland County Dog Shelter, Wayne County Humane Society, Wayne County Dog Shelter and the Holmes County Humane Society.

Reach Rachel Karas at rkaras@gannett.com

On Twitter: @RachelKaras3

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: #BettyWhiteChallenge comes to shelters in Ashland, Wayne counties