While she was known for her comic roles that made generations of television viewers laugh, Betty White took animal welfare seriously.

So the noted animal lover would no doubt approve of the celebration the Lakeville Animal Shelter has scheduled in her name.

To commemorate what would have been her 101st birthday, the shelter is hosting Betty White Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. On that day, four days after her actual birthday, people are encouraged to donate to the shelter.

The doors of the shelter will be open for visitors to bring donations of money, gift cards to the Pet Food Shoppe at 6 Harding St. (Route 44), Lakeville, and other items to benefit the shelter such as blankets and food.

Visitors can also tour the shelter and learn more about the operation, said Lakeville Animal Control Officer David Frates.

The inaugural Betty White Days were held throughout the country, including in Lakeville, last January on what would have been White’s 100th birthday. She died Dec. 31, 2021, weeks before she would have hit the century mark.

The Jan. 21 date, rather than White’s actual birthday, was chosen for this year’s event because organizers thought a Saturday might work better for people’s schedules, said Amy Madonna of Lakeville. She is putting together the event with her daughter, Rachel Madonna.

The money helps Frates care for the animals and provide them with veterinary care, Madonna said.

“It’s not cheap,’’ Amy Madonna said.

Last year’s inaugural event raised $5,000, Frates said. The shelter can accommodate 15 dogs, he said, and has also housed cats, hamsters and guinea pigs, among other creatures.

The shelter has contracts to take in animals from Acushnet, Berkeley, Bridgewater, Carver, East Bridgewater, Freetown, Raynham, Rochester and Wareham. 

In recent years, rescues have been made not only of domestic dogs and cats but of parakeets, parrots, guinea pigs and hamsters. Frates has also helped rescue some wilder creatures such as owls, swans and pigs.

Madonna said Frates works hard to care for the animals and find them good homes. He is also diligent about posting on social media about lost animals, including a parrot that recently flew the coop in Lakeville but soon returned home.

“Our animal shelter is exceptional,’’ she said. 

Donations can be brought to the shelter on Betty White Day or mailed to Town of Lakeville, 346 Bedford St., Lakeville MA 02347. Make sure Lakeville Animal Shelter is listed in the memo so the donation is properly recorded.

Madonna encourages people to visit the shelter and see the work Frates and the volunteer staff does.

“In this troubling world, let’s have something positive,’’ she said.

The Lakeville Animal Shelter is on Petfinder and Facebook. The shelter is open for adoptions on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m.