White was a devoted animal welfare advocate. In an interview with TV Guide, she said: “They’re the two things I love the most and I have to stay in show business to pay for my animal work! I’ve loved animals since I was in the womb. I was the lucky little girl who had parents who went for a walk and they’d come home with a dog or a cat. “He followed us home, Betty. Can we keep him?”

She continued: ” I’m not into animal rights. I’m only into animal welfare and health. I’ve been with the Morris Animal Foundation since the ’70s. We’re a health organization. We fund campaign health studies for dogs, cats, lizards, and wildlife. I’ve worked with the L.A. Zoo for about the same length of time. I get my animal fixes!”