barker's dj&t foundation, founded in 1994 and named after his late wife and mother, has contributed millions of dollars for animal neutering programs and to fund animal rescue and park facilities all over the united states. he worked closely with betty white as an advocate for animal rights. however, in 2009, reports indicated that barker threatened to not attend the 2009 game show awards, where he was to receive a lifetime achievement award, because white would be attending. the reason for the conflict, according to the report, was over the proper treatment of an elephant at the los angeles zoo. white instead did not attend and pre-recorded her comments that she was scheduled to make about mark goodson.