TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) — Monday would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday. Not only was she a Hollywood legend, but she was also an animal champion. And this part of his legacy continues to help many animal groups. The Betty White Challenge has raised money for animal groups around the world in recent weeks.

The Lucas County Pit Crew is one of many area rescues and shelters that have received donations in memory of Betty White. The rescue leader says there are simple but important messages in the effort.

The Lucas County Pit Crew helps find homes for hundreds of dogs and puppies each year. Many of them come to the rescue and need significant medical attention. Like the one a Good Samaritan brought to the Pit Crew with three puppies.

“The dog was so emaciated that her body was eating muscle to survive,” Pit Crew general manager Jean Keating said. “She had a lot of sores all over her body, either because she was lying on something hard or because she was too weak to get up. She was also anemic.

After a few days of hospitalization, the dog started to get better. But because of her condition, her puppies are all bottle-fed and doing well.

“She slowly gained weight. We give him small amounts of food several times a day. And we’ve only been able to feed once a day because she’s doing so well. She is also slowly increasing her activity.

The Pit Crew named her betty after a woman who spent her life helping animals in need.

“She’s shaking her whole body with happiness,” said volunteer Nancy Fisher. “She’s kind of like Betty White’s personality. She doesn’t let anything get her down, today is a new day and I’m a happy girl.

Caring for emaciated dogs and dogs with special medical needs is nothing new to the Pit Crew. The volunteers are also caring for three puppies that arrived without their mother and had to be bottle-fed, just like Betty’s puppies. The rescue relies entirely on donations and volunteers, and the money raised in Betty White’s honor will help this work continue.

“Betty White has lived her life doing something here and something there. It’s added a lot of help. It’s a good lesson for all of us. You don’t have to give $1,000. You can give $10 here and $10 there, and it will make a huge difference in our community.

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