Hounds on the Highway

  Betty White’s Other Legacy: How America’s Golden Girl Became a Lifelong Animal Advocate Most people remember Betty White for her comedic timing, her warmth, and the kind of humor that never punched down. But to countless animal lovers, her real superpower was what she did when the cameras weren’t rolling: she showed up—again and again—for animals who couldn’t speak for themselves. Her advocacy wasn’t a “celebrity cause of the month.” It was decades of hands-on work, board service, fundraising, public education, and support for research that helped animals live longer, healthier lives. ( Biography ) A love of animals that started early—and never faded Betty White often spoke about how deeply her love for animals ran, tracing it back to childhood and to parents who adored animals too. Over time, that personal affection became a public mission: if she had a platform, she was going to use it for the creatures who needed people to care. ( Biography ) She used TV to make people care (a...

 

As the year comes to a close, we find ourselves looking back—not at the mile markers, but at the moments. The early mornings when the world was still quiet and we were loading crates with coffee in hand. The late-night texts that started with “Are you up?” and ended with “We’re on our way.” The handoffs in parking lots that somehow felt like little miracles—one car door opening, another closing, and a dog’s whole future changing in between. This past year has reminded us that rescue isn’t just about the animals (even though they’re the reason we do it). It’s about people showing up. It’s about community. It’s about the kind of support that doesn’t always make headlines, but absolutely makes impact. We’re so grateful for every share, every comment, every donation, every foster application, every volunteer who said “yes,” and every rescue partner who trusted us. Every single bit of attention you helped bring to the rescue community mattered—because attention leads to action. Action leads...