Vegetarian Star

Betty White is almost in the nonagenarian club!

The actress and animal welfare activist turned 89 recently and appeared on The View to discuss her latest projects, an indication she’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Barbara Walters reminded White that during one interview she told her she liked animals more than people.

“That’s true,” White said, eliciting laughter from the group. “I don’t make it a secret.”

“They never lie to you. You know when they tell you something, they mean it. They love you unconditionally,” White continued.

It’s no surprise this actress has been active with the Morris Animal Foundation, a research group that has aimed to improve the lives of dogs by conducting studies on dog bite education and creating ways to determine a dog’s compatibility in the home.

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Betty White has a long history of involvement with animal organizations, almost as long as her acting career. And recently, the last standing Golden Girl has been named chairwoman of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.

A press release on the organization’s web site details White’s involvement with GLAZA, which spans 46 years, serving as a trustee and member of the commission.

“Betty’s many exceptional qualities make her an ideal leader for GLAZA,” said GLAZA President Connie Morgan. “Her deep understanding and passion and for the Los Angeles Zoo, her close relationship with its animals and Zoo and GLAZA people, her advocacy in general for animals that share our earth, and her sharp business sense blend perfectly to guide our organization, particularly as GLAZA works toward a public-private partnership with the City of Los Angeles in order to make the Zoo’s operation more financially independent.”

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Betty White Comic Book

Betty White has been immortalized with the lives of other female celebrities like Michelle Obama and Princess Di as Bluewater Productions has produced a comic book detailing the actress’ life, Female Force: Betty White.

White is known for her love of animals and the comic has a picture of her as the Statue of Library, holding her dog in one hand and the torch in another.

Another picture shows Betty as a young child bringing a stray animal home and wanting to keep it.

Best known for her role in The Golden Girls, White has won 7 Emmys and has an acting career that spans over 70 years.

The comic is scheduled for release in November of this year and is expected to cost $3.99.

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Betty White will make an appearance at Binn’s in Williamsburgh, Virginia on October 16th, 2010 to sign hand crafted ornaments called The Pet Set. The event will occur right before a fundraiser to raise money for the Morris Animal Foundation in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge at 7 PM.

White has supported the foundation for years, which funds research to treat and cure conditions in household pets, zoo animals and other wildlife.

Ironically, one of the recent studies Morris Animal Foundation has completed on dog bite education received by physicians and veterinarians, was funded by Proctor and Gamble, a company that still conducts animal testing for its line of cosmetic and household products like Olay, Crest and Pampers.

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Ok, so the men aren’t totally naked. But close enough.

Betty White can be found soaking up the good life in a new calendar that will benefit the Morris Animal Foundation, an organization she has supported and worked with for almost 50 years that conducts research related to animal well being, such as helping more dogs get adopted by developing quick, efficient behavioral test that predicts compatibility with a home.

The 2011 Betty White Calendar contains archive photos, as well as current ones of White posing with animals–both two and four legged.

The calendar is $12.99 and goes on sale in September.

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Betty White has worked with the Morris Animal Foundation for years, and the organization has established the Betty White Wildlife Rapid Response Fund, which gives wildlife researchers money to aid in times of disasters, such as that of the Gulf Coast oil spill.

Dr. Randall Wells of the Chicago Zoological Society’s Dolphin Research and Conservation Institute, based at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, will examine the effects of the oil spill on about 160 bottlenose dolphins living on the Sarasota Bay off the Gulf of Mexico.

There is already data on this community of dolphins, and the Betty White Wildlife Rapid Response Fund will now aid researchers to gather data after the spill.

“There is a long history of research on this population of dolphins,” says Patricia Olson, DVM, PhD, president/CEO of MAF. “This project has a great chance of documenting the effects of severe and chronic oil pollution in this species and many more animals affected by pollution found in the ocean.”

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Betty White "Bucks For Balls"

Sitting on the board of directors, Betty White is the face of the latest campaign by Actors and Others for Animals to control the unwanted pet population.

The non-profit organization is asking for donations, and next year, when it reaches its 40th anniversary, the funds will be used to spay and neuter as many animals as possible for free in a campaign titled, “Betty’s Bucks for Balls Spay/Neuter campaign.”

“I am deeply flattered to say the least with all of the wonderful attention I have been receiving lately,” White is quoted as saying. “It certainly makes me feel like one lucky old broad!”

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Let’s get a few things straight.

Judging from the hot dog named after her and from her own mouth, Betty White‘s no vegetarian.

She isn’t exactly down with animal rights either.

But she does have an interest in what she calls animal “health” and “welfare” and those interests have led her to support the Morris Animal Foundation for 45 years.

Betty told Starpulse, “Oh I think helping the animals is – that’s the lovely upside of any celebrity that happens. I’m not an animal activist. I’m not into anything political, demonstrations, or anything like that. I’m just into animal health and welfare. And have been with the Morris Animal Foundation, a health organization for 45 years, and with the Los Angeles Zoo for 45 years. Over the years of enjoying show business we’ve been able to help the animals.”

The foundation conducts research to improve the health of animals.

Research and testing always make an activist cringe, but here’s one non invasive and non pharmaceutical study that may help thousands of dogs get readopted.

The Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is used to assess the behavior and temperment of relinquished dogs, but it is also very lengthy and as a result, shelters often don’t use it.

Behavioral scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a shortened version that will allow shelter workers to determine an animal’s ability to successfully live in a home.

Results showed the shortened test is reliable, which could mean more returned dogs may find homes again.

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