Humane Society taking donations in honor of White
Local shelter in need of supplies, more volunteers to work with dogs
The Forrest City Area Humane Society is just one of many animal shelters nationwide that will be participating in a Betty White Challenge on Monday, Jan. 17, which would have been the actress’s 100th birthday.
White was a friend to countless animals throughout her legendary life, and now that legacy is living on through the challenge.
Many fans of the late activist and actress have taken on the Betty White Donation Challenge to honor her love for animals by donating $5 to an animal shelter of choice on her birthday, Jan. 17.
"We are all huge Betty White fans here," said Gay Schwartz, treasurer with the Forrest City Area Humane Society. "I am an avid ‘Golden Girls’ fan and think Betty White hung the moon, to be honest."
Schwartz called White an “amazing human.”
"And sharp as a tack too," agreed FCAHS President Ruth Ann Vowan.
Donating to the FCAHS is easy and may be done by visiting https://www.fcahumane.org/donate
"All donations to the organization are tax deductible,” said Schwartz. “Monetary donations enable us to continue with programs that help provide medicines, vaccinations, vet care, sterilization, food, shelter improvements, education and special circumstances.”
Schwartz encourages everyone to give "Blessings from Betty."
"If you can't donate to us, then donate to a shelter where you live or one of your choice," said Schwartz. "Be Betty White, don't be Karen."
The agency also needs other items donated as well, according to Schwartz, due to the shelter being at full capacity.
"We really need Purina Puppy Chow," said Schwartz due to the number of young dogs arriving at the shelter. Lids for wet dog food cans would also be appreciated.
"I don't know where to get them but we need more of them," said Schwartz.
She said many of the animals that have been to the shelter are also under weight and that the shelter uses beef and deer liver to help the dogs gain weight. "They love that, so anyone wanting to donate those are welcome, too," said Schwartz.
Other items needed at the shelter include 91% or greater rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, Milk Bones and well made leashes, collars and harnesses.
"We need good ones because we have large dogs that come in," said Schwartz. "We also really need copy paper."
Schwartz also said grain-free food is needed for some of the animals with special dietary needs and cheese ball puffs are needed for "high reward" treats for the dogs. "The dogs love these," she said.
The shelter is currently full of dogs that are ready to be adopted, like Jewel.
"Jewel was dumped at the home of a dog lover where she had three puppies," Schwartz
explained. "They are older now and she needs a permanent home. This mystery mix girl needs some TLC from a family that will make her feel safe and secure. She has been an outdoor dog for quite a while and would take a good bit of house training. She is quite gentle and easy to handle. She weighs 48 pounds and appears to be relatively young. We are accepting adoption applications for Jewel now. She is in foster care, so please make an appointment to meet this deserving dog."
There is also Happy, a male adult hound mix. "He is a fabulous fellow," said Schwartz.
Happy was picked up as a stray and weighs around 50 pounds.
"It is no surprise that he was running loose because he can scale a six-foot fence," said Schwartz.
Daisy is one of the dogs that has recently had puppies and was also picked up as a stray and has a “bubbly personality.”
"I use a lot of rescues to help us get our dogs adopted," said Schwartz, who added she was trying to get Daisy and her puppies to a rescue in Memphis for adoption.
"This is Tuffy and he is a blackcoated retriever," said Schwartz. "He's fantastic too."
Then there is Duke, a labrador retriever and terrier mix who was surrendered by his owner. He's a high-energy dog and will need someone who can teach him how to channel his energy appropriately, according to Schwartz.
There is also Lancelot, who was also picked up as a stray.
"This is our sweet Lancelot who's just scared of people," said Schwartz. "He needs someone who is willing to spend time to bond with him and make him feel secure and safe. He is definitely worth the work. He will also need a secure yard.
"Hero came in and was really skinny," Schwartz said of another labrador retriever mix male dog. "He is sweet, kind and beautiful. He is easy to handle and loves to follow a human. He gets beef and deer liver, too. He's a real sweet fellow."
Next is Onyx, a labrador retriever mix female. "She's such a sweet girl," said Schwartz.
"And this is Kit. He's about 80 pounds now," Schwartz said. "He also likes the deer liver. He loves people and is very strong."
Another at the shelter is Lois, who came in severely dehydrated. "Her gums were so white,” said Schwartz of the dog when it arrived.
"Ariel was dumped at the home of a dog lover," she said of a labrador retriever and hound mix.
Paddy, a Straffordshire bull terrier mix is also looking for a home. He is friendly, young and weighs 52 pounds. He is quite gentle and easy to handle but will need a loving home with a secure fence, according to Schwartz.
An adoption application or foster application can be found on the FCAHS website. There is a $75 adoption fee that includes the sterilization of the pet, heart worm tests, five-way vaccine, rabies vaccine, bordetella and basic deworming.
As always, the shelter needs volunteers as well.
"We need people who can work with puppies," said Schwartz. "Especially the younger ones we have to wean to Puppy Chow and teach to eat from their bowls.
"We always need people who know how to work with all dogs," she continued. "They are animals and you always have to be respectful of them."