Peters, Moore, Dozens of Stars Set for Broadway Barks 9

Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore will host the ninth annual "Broadway Barks!," a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event, produced by Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by the ASPCA with additional sponsorship by the New York Times, Pedigree, and RCA Small Wonder will take place on Saturday, July 14th in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue). The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m.; celebrity presentations of pets from citywide animal shelters will take place between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain, "Broadway Barks 9!" will be rescheduled for Saturday, July 28 from 3:30p.m. – 6:30p.m.)
 
Back by "pawpular" demand, "Broadway Barks 9" will help many of New York City's shelter animals find permanent homes by informing New Yorkers about the plight of the thousands of "homeless" dogs and cats in the metropolitan area. Last year's "Broadway Barks!" attracted an audience of more than 6,000 theater fans, pet owners, and animal lovers, and featured the participation of more than 24 animal shelters from the New York City area.
 
"In 2006, for the first time in New York City's history, the euthanasia rate for dogs and cats in the city's Animal Care & Control shelters fell below 50%. A total of 20, 581 animals were placed into homes. 9,313 were adopted; 9,937 were transferred for eventual adoption to local shelters and rescue groups; and 1,331 were returned to their owners," said Moore.
 
"This milestone means we are saving more than half of the dogs and cats in our city shelters," said Ed Sayres, president & CEO of the ASPCA.  "We are are proud that New York City's efforts to save the lives of adoptable animals has reached this important benchmark."
 
Peters, who adopted her dogs, Kramer and Stella, from the ASPCA and AC&C, adds, "It's bringing us closer to the day when we will no longer have to euthanize any healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs because of a lack of space. As a community, we are most effective in helping animals when we pool our strengths to achieve what is, after all, a shared goal -- the elevation and continued welfare of animals in our society."
 
A galaxy of Broadway stars will join Peters and Moore for this special benefit, presenting the animals for adoption. Celebrity presenters include Angela Lansbury (Deuce); Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna (Chicago); David Hyde Pierce, Jason Danieley, Michael McCormick, Debra Monk, and Karen Ziemba (Curtains); Jerry Mathers and Paul Vogt (Hairspray), Priscilla Lopez and Mandy Gonzalez (In the Heights); Cheyenne Jackson and Kerry Butler (Xanadu); Michael Cerveris (LoveMusik); Jo Anne Worley, John Glover, Beth Leavel, Gerry Vichi and Patrick Wetzel (The Drowsy Chaperone); Ashley Brown, Jane Carr, Daniel Jenkins, and Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins); John McMartin and Maureen Moore (Grey Gardens); Michael Berresse (A Chorus Line); John Earl Jelks (Radio Golf); Michael Mulheren (Deuce); J. Robert Spencer and John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys); Orfeh and Andy Karl (Legally Blonde); David Hibbard and Martin Moran (Spamalot); Sebastian Arcelus, Jayne Houdyshell, and Kendra Kassebaum (Wicked); Stephanie J. Block; Maureen McGovern; and many more.

The event will feature a sampling of potential pets from several New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies, including A Cause for Paws, Adopt A Boxer Rescue, Angelical Cat, Animal Haven, ASPCA, AC&C, BARC, Bide-A-Wee, Bobbi & the Strays, City Critters, Humane Society of New York, Husky House, Kitty Kind, Long Island Greyhound Rescue, Loving Touch, Metropolitan Maltese Rescue, Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue, NYC Siamese Rescue, Pet-I-Care, PLUTO, Russell Refuge, Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare, Stray from the Heart, and Tigger Foundation. Representatives from these organizations will be on hand to offer educational information on spaying and neutering.
 
"Broadway Barks 9" will also feature an auction of celebrity-autographed memorabilia. Additional auction merchandise will be available via the Internet by logging on to www.eBay.com and using the key words Bernadette Peters. Proceeds from the auction and other donations received during the day will benefit the shelters and organizations attending the event.
 
For more information about "Broadway Barks 9!", call (212) 840-0770, extension 477, or visit www.BroadwayBarks.com.

Photo of Bernadette Peters by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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