As part of the #BettyWhiteChallenge, more than 600 people contributed over $6,500 to the Burlington County Animal Shelter in honor of the late actress, Betty White, who would have turned 100 on Jan. 17.
“Betty White was a remarkable woman who helped bring laughter and joy into our homes over the course of her extraordinary career,” Commissioner Director Dan O’Connell said in a statement by the Burlington County Board of Commissioners. “More remarkable still was how she used her prominence to promote animal welfare causes and support animal health. We are overwhelmed by the amount of donations to our animal shelter in Betty’s memory, and we thank every contributor for their generosity. We know Betty would be thrilled and proud of the success of this impromptu campaign and we promise that the funds will be used to care for and find loving homes for hundreds of animals.”
More than 1,182 cats and 411 dogs were adopted from the shelter in 2021 and the county is encouraging anyone who is looking for a new loyal companion to consider adopting a pet from the shelter, according to the statement.
As an incentive, the county has waived all adoption fees for adult dogs and cats during January. Typically, the shelter charges a fee of $75 for adult dogs and $45 for cats.
Burlington County Animal Shelter dogs and cats can be viewed online at www.co.burlington.nj.us/1446/Available-for-Adoption or call 609-265-5073 to make an appointment to visit.
“It’s heartwarming to hear about the hundreds of donations we have received in Betty’s honor but the best gift is a home for one of the loveable dogs and cats currently residing in the shelter,” Commissioner Felicia Hopson, who is the board’s liaison to the animal shelter, said in the statement. “For those capable of adopting or fostering, please make an appointment to visit the shelter. Your next best friend may be waiting for you there.”
Those interested in donating to the shelter can visit https://burlingtoncountynj.formstack.com/forms/animal_shelter_donations?fbclid=IwAR0OUbNUJ-qU6jVLhPza7RLfGkj3m5Tq7Uut_5srVGfvKysBk0gXiyVfvpU
Photo: Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan O’Connell holds a young cat at the Burlington County Animal Shelter in Westampton.