Courtesy of Morris Animal Foundation
White, who has been an actress for more than 60 years, has as much passion for animals as she does for show business and divides her time equally between the two worlds. For decades, she has worked with the Morris Animal Foundation to promote animal health and welfare, sponsoring more than 30 animal health studies that have led to groundbreaking research that have improved the lives of dogs, cats and horses.
On Feb. 15 in Las Vegas, Nev., the Morris Animal Foundation honored White for her commitment to helping animals enjoy longer and healthier lives. P&G Pet Care, who sponsored the luncheon, made a $10,000 donation in White's name to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Afterwards, White spoke with Paw Nation about her career, her much adored dog Pontiac, and how deeply honored she felt to be recognized for her work with animals.
Should I call you Betty or Ms. White?
Oh, Betty. That's so much easier.
How long have you worked with the Morris Animal Foundation?
I've worked with them for 43 years and they made me a wonderful luncheon today honoring me and, well, I lost it. I just lost it. I was so touched.
What does it mean to be honored by the Morris Animal Foundation for your work in animal health and welfare?
We've accomplished so much over the years and I'm so proud to still be associated with them. You know, a lot of times when you're with an organization that long, you're not quite as thrilled as you were in the beginning, [but] I just get more proud of them every year that goes by.
You recently won a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Lifetime Achievement Award and gave a very funny speech. Is it possible to compare that award to the honor you've received today for your animal welfare work?
Well, I'm so lucky. My life is divided in absolutely equal halves. Half show business and half animal work, which are two things I love the most, so that's pretty good stuff. You can't get better than that. I could handle the SAG award and I was thrilled to pieces. But I lost it today [at the Morris Animal Foundation luncheon] because there's so much emotion involved. We've come so far. The whole animal world has changed so much. People are beginning to appreciate now what a major part of our lives animals are. So today to have all those people in that room and being so generous, I won't come down off this one for a long time.
Have you always loved animals?
It started in the womb. My father and mother were as nutty about animals as I. I was a lucky little kid. My folks would go for a walk and they'd come home with a cat or a dog and they'd say, 'He followed us home, Betty, can we keep him?'
Where do you live and how many pets do you currently have?
I live in Los Angeles and I have one golden retriever named Pontiac. He's a career change guide dog and he is just my heart. I'm working so much and I'm aching for a kitty and I'm aching for a little dog. I lost my 16-and-a-half-year-old shih-tzu and my 11-year-old Himalayan kitty and my 10-year-old golden retriever -- all within two months of each other last year. Right now, I have my Ponty and we're together all the time. I can't integrate somebody new into the family until I can stay home long enough to do it.
What do you mean Pontiac is a 'career change' guide dog?
He had a bum knee and couldn't go into regular guide dog training. They couldn't give him to a blind person, and they knew I would take care of him. He hasn't needed any surgery, but he still has his bum knee.
What's your favorite thing to do with Pontiac?
He's up on the couch next to me. He sleeps next to me. We do everything together; we're inseparable. You would love him. He's a dear.
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you go betty!!!! animals are my sanity! they don't lie ,cheat, steal, or talk politics.
I admire Ms White's caring for animals, but it's a shame she does not also speak in defense of the thousands of unborn babies that are aborted each year.
Bob, stay on topic
Good Grief, Bob.........If you're so concerned about abortion, what are you doing on a site clearly devoted to animals?
Hey Bob, this has nothing to do with that. There's plenty enough people like you condoning mass breeding by humans. Maybe you folks ought to try a campaign like the pet lovers of the world.
Spay and Neuter yourselves, then there wouldn't be an issue.
Feel free to support any cause that you like. Just don't think that everybody is going to jump on your bandwagon. Betty White is an icon in America and she has chosed to support animals. You Go Betty. I love you!
Bob,
Although I too do not believe in abortion (unless the mother's life is in danger), I do not agree with the attitude you gave on here. We need people like Ms. White to step up to the plate and be like an ambassador for animals. I appreciate your feeling the way you do and your ability and courage to speak out about it, but this is not the place to do so. This is a site about animals and "conversations" should stay on that topic, please.
I commend Ms. White for 43 years of standing up for and protecting animals. Outside of Bob Barker, I do not know any one who has been an advocate for animals for so long. She obviously has a huge passion for animals of all sorts. I appreciate this passion and hope others, myself included, will be just as passionate for just as long. Heck, even if we are only half of passionate for half the time she has been, the world will be a much better place. I wish I could afford to do more then I do now and am glad to see others helping out too.
Thank you Ms. White for not only being a fantastic actress and awesome comedian all these years (loved you in the Golden Girls...you always crack me up and help me have a better day), but also thank you for the 43 years you have given in support of animals. I applaud you and pray you get many more years to do both. I love to listen to you and watch you. You are the best. May God continue to bless and protect you.
Betty White has chosen her preference for charity work. Perhaps stopping abortions is not high on her list! Or perhaps she would just rather work on animal issues, since they are all caused by lazy, cheap, irresponsible humans! I think that your comment is offensive and inappropriate on this site. Take your "it's a shame" issues to Rush Limpballs.
I feel the same as Betty. I love animals so much and I have two dogs that I love like they were my kids.
Good grief, Bob! And why doesn't she speak about immigration, child abuse, the death penalty, drus abuse, etc. etc. etc.??? BECAUSE ABORTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ANIMAL FOUNDATION AND THEIR HONORING BETTY WHITE FOR HER WORK WITH 'ANIMALS'...GET IT??? Now fall off your soap box and get a life!
I've heard of protesting too much, but WOW; what's your problem?
Betty White is the greatest!!! Even after 60 years in show business she is still one of my favorite actors of all time. She is smart, beautiful and funny, everything you could ever want in a woman. OK so I got a crush on you Betty. You should check out early game shows with Betty on the game network. Password (hosted by her husband Allen) and Match game. After all these years, Betty you rock.
That is spelled rumour dammit...................curses and now I misspelled dammit dammit
Betty White is just the greatest. What a blessing to have had her entertaining us all these years. God bless her.
Bob, please find an appropriate site on which to vent your CPAC attitudes.
Bob,
You are an idiot. What an inane comment. Let me guess, you have a teabag hanging from your hat, right?
HOOLE,
Your statement is worse then Bob's
Speaking of inane comments, yours ranks right up there with Bob's.
My family also loved and cared for animals. I raised a daughter and two sons, cats dogs and wolves. Yes, pure Alaskan tundra wolves. I found that gnashing teeth and growling works for disciplining both species. "WOLFCUB," is an action/adventure novel I wrote about wolves and boys in the mountain wilderness of the Southwest.
Hi Betty, we have a lot in common, working in our older years and the love of animals. I was born January 2, 1922, and I have witnessed many tragedies in the world and in my personal life, after my husband died at an early age in 1945 I started working as a beautician and I continue working at the age of 88 part time 6 hrs 4 days a week I enjoy socializing with clients some I have known for over 60 years and the younger ones, the love of life and my two Maltese has kept me mentally and physically healthy!