In celebration of what would've been animal-welfare advocate and Hollywood star Betty White’s 101st birthday on Jan. 17, the Furry Friends cat shelter on Hart Drive in Barrie held its inaugural open house.
Furry Friends Animal Shelter, a non-profit, no-kill organization, provides a warm bed and healthy meals to abandoned, lost or rescued animals from the local area.
Last week, the group decided to celebrate the anniversary of the 'Betty White Challenge' by giving visitors the opportunity to see first-hand just how the shelter operates, and to visit with the many cats currently residing there.
The Betty White Challenge honours the late actress's memory by urging her fans and fellow animal lovers to start a movement for her birthday each year. White died Dec. 31, 2021, at the age of 99 and less than three weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She was most famous for her roles on The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and, more recently, Hot In Cleveland.
The challenge is an easy one: donate in Betty White's honour and help animals in need.
Locally, last year’s charity drive was a roaring success with area residents helping the Barrie shelter rescue, rehabilitate and re-home more than 550 cats in the past year.
In particular, donations for the cats and kittens at the shelter assisted with their critical care for those with injuries, chronic conditions and diseases, and those that needed extra help to survive.
Furry Friends does not receive government funding and the shelter is only staffed with loving and caring volunteers.
Mark Adams, president of the Furry Friends Animal Shelter board of directors, says he feels a little sheepish with that title, but explained to BarrieToday that “everyone here is some kind of working volunteer, so I’m in here Monday nights scooping cat litter and sweeping the floor just like everyone else here.”
When asked what he likes most about volunteering, Adams didn't hesitate in his answer.
“Just coming in here and being with the cats," he said. "It’s socializing, because while I’m working away, I stop and visit the cats and spend a little time with them. And it feels so great when a cat who has come in badly injured, such as one cat that had an owl try and snatch it up and take it away. It had huge gashes on its back. It was feral and by the time it was done healing, it was very social.
"It’s those happy endings that are the best," Adams added.
At least 75 per cent of their operating budget goes to veterinary care for essential services such as spay and neutering, vaccines, treatment of parasites, emergency surgeries that include amputations or dental work, the cost of X-rays, and for special food requirements needed to treat diabetes and kidney disease, and other chronic ailments.
The Betty White Challenge was a resounding success around the world and was a much-appreciated gift when Furry Friends needed it most last year.
“For our shelter, it raised $12,000 right out of the blue and we just want to keep that spirit going”, said Adams.
Some Furry Friends fast facts:
* Established in 1999
* Approximately 65 cats currently in the shelter
* 100 cats currently in foster homes
* 65 foster homes that house cats, with over 100 homes during kitten season
* 188 volunteers on staff
* Adoption fee is $260 for kittens and $220 for adult cats
* Just over $400,000 in total expenses throughout last year
* Veterinary costs made up $315,000 of the total expenses
Donate online at www.furryfriendsbarrie.com/
