Puppy Love: MCAS offers #BettyWhiteChallenge adoption special

Home » Community

Posted January 21, 2022 | By James Blevins
james@ocalagazette.com

Marion County Animal Services (MCAS) announced on Wednesday, Jan. 12 that it had been inspired to join the “Betty White Challenge” in honor of the late TV icon who was “a wonderful advocate for animals and their well-being” during her life, according to a press release.

Running through to Jan. 31, anyone interested in adopting a pet can come down to MCAS and adopt by donating, according to the release, “what you can” for adoption fees, which cover the cost of up-to-date vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, a county pet license and microchip insertion.

Adoption funds will go directly to the improvement, well being, and quality of life for animals at the no-kill Marion County Animal Center. If adoption is not an option, donations are being accepted, in person or online at MarionFl.org/Animal, or by mail at 5701 S.E. 66^th St., Ocala, FL. 34480.

Director of Animal Services Jim Sweet said the month-long adoption campaign hopes to honor Betty White’s love for animals and pets of all types.

“We appreciate her never-ending kindness and the impact she made during her life,” said Sweet. “Her legacy is something that we want to honor, and not just once. We’re considering honoring Betty White every January with this campaign. We think it’s a great way to honor a great lady with a wonderful legacy.”

Betty White, who passed away on Dec. 31 at the age of 99, was a friend to countless animals throughout her legendary life, according to “The New York Post,” and her legacy is living on through a new challenge sweeping social media this month, asking fans to donate to animal rescues or shelters in her name.

Wendy Hillyard, Animal Services program specialist, said, “Since the start of the #BettyWhiteChallenge, we’ve seen more interest in ways to help our shelter, including donations, adoptions and those interested in volunteering. Betty White was clearly an inspiration to those who believe in helping pets, which is a gift to those of us working in the animal welfare field.”

Since beginning the challenge, the county shelter has seen 83 adoptions with over $2,000 in donations toward the cause, according to a Jan. 18 MCAS press release.

On Jan. 13, Humane Society of Marion County (HSMC) announced that it would also be participating in the social media campaign.

Kristen Tanner, social media and volunteer coordinator for HSMC, said the non-profit’s adoption fees will remain the same, but people can still donate towards the amount of an adoption for an animal, or they can donate to a specific cause at the shelter that speaks to them.

“We’re super excited. It’s a great way to memorialize Betty White and kind of process that grief of her passing,” said Tanner, adding, “When you’re 99 and someone says that you passed away too soon—that speaks volumes of the kind of person she was and the life that she lived.”