Bernadette Peters Will Judge Canine Talent for ASPCA

Skateboarding, carriage-pushing and piano playing pooches are putting their best paws forward during a Charm School & Talent Show at the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) this Friday, February 2 at 12 noon.

The talent show helps kick off "I Love NYC Pets" month, which features adoption events by various New York City animal welfare and rescue groups throughout February.

Thirteen dexterous dogs, all available for adoption at the ASPCA, and their handlers will trump their many talents for a panel of celebrity judges that includes legendary Broadway actress and noted animal supporter Bernadette Peters (two-time Tony Award-winner for Song and Dance and Annie Get Your Gun, also Gypsy, Into the Woods, etc.), reality TV's "Bachelor" Prince Lorenzo Borghese, hit HOT 97 FM DJ Angie Martinez, and the ASPCA's Supervisory Special Investigator and star of the hit show "Animal Precinct," Annemarie Lucas.

First, second and third place winners will be judged on several criteria: overall presentation, the dog's attentiveness to the handler, and the creativity of the commands learned.

"The real prize for these dogs, however, will be finding permanent, loving homes. New York City's animal rescue groups are making their biggest pet adoption push this February during the inaugural "I Love NYC Pets" month that includes dozens of adoption events in all five boroughs, extended adoption hours at city shelters, and special gifts for new adopters. Primary organizational partners of "I Love NYC Pets" month include the ASPCA, Animal Care & Control, Animal Haven, Bide-A-Wee, Humane Society of New York and North Shore Animal League," according to press notes. 

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in anti-cruelty, animal behavior, humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet.

Photo of Bernadette Peters by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.