'Betty White Challenge' brings in thousands in donations to Manitoba animal welfare groups

Multiple animal welfare and rescue groups in Manitoba saw a huge spike in donations, with thousands of dollars donated thanks to a viral challenge honouring Betty White.
The 'Betty White Challenge' has gone viral across North America, encouraging people to donate $5 to local animal welfare groups on Monday—what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday.
The Golden Girl was well known for her animal activism. White died on Dec. 31, 2021.
The Winnipeg Humane Society said it raised $41,000 through the challenge. CEO Jessica Miller told CTV News on Monday the money will go to supporting the Winnipeg Humane Society facility and the animals that come through the shelter or through its foster and urgent care programs.
"I don't even know what to say. This is just such an incredible gift that you've given to honour Betty," Miller said in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday.
"This was an amazing way to start off 2022."
Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue saw more than $17,500 raised through the challenge in White's honour.
Megan Peters, the public relations assistant for the Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue, told CTV News on Monday the response to the challenge had been overwhelming.
"The more donations we can bring in so that we don't have additional costs for vet bills, the more animals we can actually bring into our care and get them out of the cold especially during this time," Peters said.
Tails for Freedom Rescue said more than $4,800 was raised for the rescue.
"We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of everyone who donated to our rescue for the #bettywhitechallenge in honour of the lovely Betty White on what would have been her 100th birthday," the rescue said in a post on Facebook Tuesday.
"It has been amazing to see everyone come together and show their love and support to honour this lovely lady. We feel so lucky to have been part of such a wonderful movement."
The Manitoba Underdogs Rescue said it raised just over $18,000 from the challenge.
Lindsay Gillanders, a volunteer with the Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, said the need for donations is huge.
"As the temperatures continue to plummet, we see more and more dogs that are injured or in need as a direct result of those cold temperatures," she told CTV News on Monday. "Our vet bills only increase so we are in desperate need of help right now and any little bit will make a big impact.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE | Prince Charles and Camilla land in Newfoundland to start Canadian tour
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, have arrived in St. John's, N.L., to begin a three-day Canadian tour that includes stops in Ottawa and the Northwest Territories.

Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner carjacked at gunpoint outside Toronto movie theatre
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was the victim of an armed carjacking outside a movie theatre in Etobicoke on Monday night, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Regular travel and public health measures can't coexist: Canadian Airport Council
International arrivals at Canadian airports are so backed up, people are being kept on planes for over an hour after they land because there isn't physically enough space to hold the lineups of travellers, says the Canadian Airports Council.
In Buffalo, Biden condemns racism, mourns new victims
U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid their respects Tuesday at a makeshift memorial to the 10 people killed in the white supremacist attack in Buffalo, confronting again the forces of hatred he frequently says called him back to seek the White House.
Indian couple sue only son for not giving them grandchildren
A couple in India are suing their son and daughter-in-law -- for not giving them grandchildren after six years of marriage.
Fall of Mariupol appears at hand; fighters leave steel plant
Mariupol appeared on the verge of falling to the Russians on Tuesday as Ukraine moved to abandon the steel plant where hundreds of its fighters had held out for months under relentless bombardment in the last bastion of resistance in the devastated city.
Trudeau says inviting Iran to Vancouver soccer friendly is not 'a very good idea'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a soccer friendly between Canada and Iran next month in Vancouver is ill-advised. The merits of hosting Iran were raised by a reporter, citing families who had lost loved ones on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.
Nestle is flying baby formula into America as shortage continues
Nestle is rushing baby formula into the United States via airfreight in a bid to ease a nationwide shortage that is unnerving parents around the country.
OPINION | Tom Mulcair: Legault reverting to age-old sport of Anglo-bashing
Today, there are two pieces of Quebec legislation that target religious and linguistic minorities. While he often talks about rights, Justin Trudeau has chosen to stand there, arms folded, and do nothing to defend people whose freedoms are being affected. He appears to be afraid of displeasing François Legault, writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his latest column for CTVNews.ca.