ASHLAND — Area animal rescue organizations benefitted from a social media challenge that launched Jan. 17 in honor of Betty White’s 100th birthday.
The challenge encouraged people to give $5 to a local animal shelter in honor of White, a tireless advocate for animals.
The beloved actress died Dec. 31. She was 99.
An anonymous donor made things interesting by offering a $2,000 match, which has been extended through the end of January.
“Our anonymous donor has made Betty White do cartwheels in heaven,” said Laura Bailey, the executive director of Ashland’s Cat House Feline Sanctuary.
After the $2,000 match, the nonprofit’s medical fund will receive a boost of $5,600. Bailey said the organization launched the fundraiser on Jan. 6, so that figure includes money collected since then.
The funds will go toward Spring Meadow veterinary bills and general care of cats.
“We’re just rockin’ here,” Bailey said. “This is a tremendous boost in the arm.”
For more information on the Cat House, call 419-289-3658 or visit its website.
No Pawz Left Behind, a nonprofit that provides medical care for dogs in the Ashland County Dog Shelter, has raised just over $1,000 since launching the campaign last week.
The bulk of that money, $884, was raised Monday through the Betty White Challenge, said Michelle Sviatko, the organization’s president.
“The donor’s match was a big incentive for people to donate. It’s pretty amazing,” Sviatko said.
The money raised for No Pawz Left Behind will go toward veterinary care for dogs at the Ashland County Dog Shelter.
“We have a dog right now going through heart-worm treatment,” she said, adding these donations will help pay for that. “People don’t want to adopt a dog with heart worms.
“So we get them health before we put them up for adoption. That’s our mission.”
For more information on No Pawz, call 419-289-1455 or visit the website.
