Though she was an incredibly accomplished actor, Betty White wasn’t necessarily obsessed with her career. Far from a workaholic, White used her fame to advocate for several charitable causes, shining a light on issues she felt were important.

One such cause was animal welfare, which White dedicated herself to for many years. White herself owned many pets, and argued that having a furry friend can positively affect the mental health of an owner.

“I’ve seen so many instances where people who were withdrawn reached out for the first time in years when a pet came into their lives,” said White during an interview with the Jackson County Banner.

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White’s concern for animal welfare extended far beyond domesticated pets. The actor worked with zoos and wildlife foundations. The Golden Girls star also hosted The Pet Set, a series that focused on celebrity pets.

“It’s not a matter of doing the right thing only for animals and ignoring the needs of others,” said the actor. "We should be involved wherever we’re needed. Also, I think the more we take care of each other, no matter how many legs we have, the more we discover how human we really are. There isn’t a line between one OR the other: it’s a matter of one AND the other. The thing that I find upsetting is that the people who stand off and criticize the efforts made on behalf of animals don’t often do anything for anyone - animal or human.”