'It just exploded': Betty White challenge brings almost $80K to K-W, Guelph humane societies

Humane societies in Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph received tens of thousands of dollars in donations on Monday in honour of Betty White.

A social media movement called the #BettyWhiteChallenge encouraged people to donate $5 to a rescue or animal shelter in White's name, on what would have been the late actress' 100th birthday.

The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth said donations are still being counted but more than $49,000 had been counted by Wednesday and they were on track to hit the $50,000 mark.

"Which is fantastic and it exceeded our expectations," said Nick Burke, director of development at the humane society. 

Meanwhile the Guelph Humane Society received a total of $30,000 in donations from the community.

"We had donations coming for a week and then on January 17th for her actual birthday, it just exploded," said Natalie Thomas, who is the organization's manager of marketing and communications.

The Ontario SPCA said Monday it had received more than $50,000 in donations in honour of White since Friday.

Donations will fund foster program

Thomas said some donors gave more than the five dollar recommendation, with a few big one-time donations.

"We had a few $500 donations from individuals," she said.

"It really speaks to two things: Not only the love of animals and animal welfare, but also the love of Betty White."

Burke and Thomas said their organizations rely on donations to care for the animals they shelter and every dollar will be put to good use.

Burke said some of the money raised will cover the costs of surgeries and overall care of the animals, including those staying with foster families.

"The money will assist that foster program by providing medication, food and all the supplies an animal would need to make sure they have the best opportunity to heal and recuperate and then be brought back into the centre to be adopted," he said.

Similarly, Thomas said donations will fund everything from feeding animals to providing veterinary care.

Thomas adds the #BettyWhiteChallenge surpassed two larger, well-known annual fundraiser events her humane society hosts, including Giving Tuesday, which raised $24,000 last year and $25,000 during the month of June for the Great Canadian Giving Challenge.

"It's so interesting that in January when it's so slow we have this huge surge of donations and gifts from people, so it would be amazing for this to become an annual event moving forward," she said.

Burke said the  #BettyWhiteChallenge is a great start toward the organization's $1.5 million fundraising goal this year.