'Betty White Challenge' At Douglas County Animal Shelter In Honor Of Her 100th Birthday

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — Monday, Jan. 17 would've been beloved TV star Betty White's 100th birthday. She died on New Year's Eve, but animal shelters across the country, including in Douglas County, are holding fundraisers and adoption events in honor of her birthday.

White was a fierce advocate for animals, raising money for causes such as the Morris Animal Foundation and the Los Angeles Zoo. In 1970-71, she wrote, produced and hosted a syndicated TV show, "The Pet Set," to which celebrities brought their dogs and cats. She also wrote a 1983 book titled "Betty White's Pet Love: How Pets Take Care of Us"; and, in 2011, she published "Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo."

Douglas County Animal Shelter is participating in the "Betty White Challenge," a fundraiser and adoption call for shelters nationwide urging people to donate, volunteer or adopt a new furry friend in White's honor.

Those wishing to participate are asked to donate $5 in her name and/or sign up to volunteer at a local animal shelter. Dozens of dogs and cats are also available for adoption at Douglas County Animal Shelter.

DCAS has raised $680 of its $1,000 goal as of Friday morning. All donations will be spent on spay/neuter costs for DCAS cats and dogs, heartworm treatment for shelter animals who get adopted and for items for the pet pantry.

"If just 84 people will give $5, we can meet our $1,000 goal," DCAS said in a social media post Friday. "Help us reduce pet overpopulation and improve the lives of animals in Douglas County, GA. We are so close!"

Douglas County Animal Services is located at 2171 Mack Road in Douglasville. Appointments are required for adoptions and can be booked online at celebratedouglascounty.com/220/Animal-Shelter. You must be age 18 or older to adopt.

Hours of operation are Tuesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All adoptions must be made by 4:30 p.m. All dogs get a flea treatment, deworming, lifelong registered microchip, Bordetella vaccine and DAPP vaccines. All cats get their FVRCP vaccine, deworming, flea treatment and lifelong registered microchip.

Adoption costs:

• Adult dogs (over six months old)
  • $100 for altered (includes rabies vaccine and heartworm test)
  • $80 for unaltered (no heartworm test or rabies vaccine)
• Puppies (under six months old)
  • $150 for puppies ready to go (means eight weeks or older at the time of intake and with one round of vaccines)
  • $200 for puppies that have had three rounds of vaccines (this would be live births or puppies that have been surrendered under eight weeks old)
• Adult cats (over six months old)
  • $60 for altered (includes combo test and rabies vaccine)
  • $40 for unaltered (no combo test and no rabies vaccine)
• Kittens (under six months old)
  • $80 regardless of how many rounds of vaccines they've had

To donate to the "Betty White Challenge" fundraiser, visit Facebook.com/DoCoAnimals. To see adoptable pets or sign up to volunteer, visit celebratedouglascounty.com/220/Animal-Shelter.