Sunday Sweets!

 

A special Sunday Sweets!, 
dedicated to an American icon and trailblazer for animal advocacy,
Betty White

 

America's sweetheart, Betty White, was passionate about animals.  As a child, she helped care for animals that her parents accepted from people who could no longer care for them, in part as a result of the great depression.

Betty credited her passion for animals to her parents, who she described as "genuine animal nuts", in the forward to her book entitled, "Betty and Friends, My Life at the Zoo."

She loved all kinds of animals.......

.....gave generously to many animal related causes including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, African Wildlife Foundation, and Actors & Others for Animals.......  

 

...and used her celebrity voice to advocate for animal welfare organizations.

Betty was also a supporter of guide dog organizations including the Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Seeing Eye.  

She also adopted a retired guide dog named Dinah.

  

For more than 70 years, Betty supported American Humane, the first national humane organization in the US.  In 2012, American Humane honored Betty with the National Humanitarian Medal and Legacy Award with the following statement (paraphrased):  

"We honor Betty with our highest award for her outstanding, unparalleled contribution over the course of her remarkable life, and in spreading understanding, empathy, kindness and humane treatment for all living creatures."

Betty's humane legacy continues through the Betty White Wildlife Fund at the Morris Animal Foundation, which funds research in diagnostics, treatments, preventions and cures benefitting companion animals, horses and wildlife worldwide.  In 2020, the fund provided $1M to support the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife after the devastating wildfires in Australia.  

In memoriam

Betty White Ludden

1922-2021