America’s Teaching Zoo held its annual Rendezvous at the Zoo, where it offered interaction with animals, fundraising and awarded actress Betty White the Platinum Paw, on Thursday.

During the event there was a silent auction filled with prizes such as trips to Australia and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Along with the auction, a booth was set up to take pictures with animals, such as the giant lizard that closely resembled a komodo dragon.

Mara Rodriguez, an operator of the event, opened the public speaking section of the event by thanking the zoo’s faculty and sponsors.

President Luis Sanchez of Moorpark College then introduced the students of the Exotic Animal Training and Management program. The students invited White to the podium to receive her Platinum Paw award to acknowledge how much she has helped animals all over the world.

White began charities 60 years ago for animals in need and created the Betty White Wildlife Fund to help animals stuck in life-threatening situations. She has also donated some animals to the college’s zoo. White was enthusiastic to receive the award.

“As an animal lover it is such a privilege to find a place like this where all the wonderful people not only love animals, a lot of us love animals, but they’re knowledgeable, they’re working and making the planet a better place for the animals,” said White.

There was an exotic animal show after White received her award with a lot of fun displays. There were Nigerian dwarf goats, a capuchin monkey named Scooters that cracked an egg like a chef and much more.

White is hopeful that animals will have a brighter future for the generations to come as well as now.

“It’s so comforting to be here because we know that there is a whole gang of people coming up that will take care of them [the animals],” She said.