Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald, Nina Arianda & More Set for Broadway Barks 2012 Today, 7/14

Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters host the fourteenth annual BROADWAY BARKS!, a star-studded dog and cat adoption event benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies, today!

Produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, sponsored by the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and with additional sponsorship by the New York Times, the event takes place today, Saturday, July 14, 2012, in Shubert Alley, the heart of the Broadway Theater District (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenues).

The festivities begin at 3:30 p.m.; celebrity presentations of pets from animal shelters citywide will take place between 5-6:30 p.m.

Marking its 14th anniversary of the organization, BROADWAY BARKS! once again helps 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.

This year also includes the sale of the new Broadway Barks! annual calendar. Peters will sign these limited edition calendars in addition to her previously released children books, Broadway Barks and Stella is a Star, at 12 noon. All proceeds will benefit Broadway Barks!

Moore and Peters are joined by Broadway stars including: Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur), Tracie Bennett (End of the Rainbow), Bill Berloni (Dog Trainer-Annie), Jackie Burns (Wicked), Stephanie J. Block (Anything Goes), Michael Cerveris (Evita), Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher), Michael Cumpsty (End of the Rainbow), John Dossett (Newsies), Tom Edden (One Man, Two Guvnors), Martyn Ellis (One Man, Two Guvnors), Richard Fleeshman (Ghost), Montego Glover (Memphis), Joel Grey (Anything Goes), Julie Halston (Anything Goes), Jessica Hecht (Harvey), Megan Hilty (SMASH), Jeremy Jordan (Newsies), Carol Kane (Harvey), Judy Kaye (Nice Work If You Can Get It), Steve Kazee (Once), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher), Claire Lams (One Man, Two Guvnors), Angela Lansbury (The Best Man), Dick Latessa (The Lyons), Linda Lavin (The Lyons), Caissie Levy (Ghost), Norm Lewis (Porgy and Bess), Kara Lindsay (Newsies), Audra McDonald (Porgy and Bess), Michael McGrath (Nice Work If You Can Get It), Judy McLane (Mamma Mia), Cristin Milioti (Once), Rita Moreno, Bebe Neuwirth, Rory O'Malley (Book of Mormon), Nancy Opel (Memphis), Bryce Pinkham (Ghost), Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Ghost), Andrew Rannells (Book of Mormon), Jemima Rooper (One Man, Two Guvnors), Matt Saldivar (Peter and the Starcatcher), Chandra Lee Schwartz (Wicked), Natalie Smith (One Man, Two Guvnors), Ben Vereen, Syndee Winters (The Lion King) and The Craze (One Man, Two Guvnors).

"It is inspiring to see all of New York City come together to work towards The Common goal of saving as many animal lives as possible," said Ed Sayres, president and CEO of the ASPCA and sponsor of Broadway Barks. "It is crucial that we bring the issue of animal homeless to the forefront and encourage New Yorkers to make pet adoption their first option."

"Since 2003, the lives of more than 220,000 dogs and cats have been saved through The Combined efforts of the Alliance participating organizations many of whom are here today, including Animal Care & Control of NYC," according to Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals. "This spirit of a collaborative community, manifested so clearly in Broadway Barks, is moving us toward the day when no New York City dog or cat of reasonable health and temperament will be killed simply because we do not have a home for them."

BROADWAY BARKS! features a sampling of potential pets from several New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies, including ASPCA, Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue, Adopt A Boxer, Animal Care & Control, Animal Haven, Anjellicle Cats, Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, BARC, Bidawee, Bobbi & the Strays, City Critters, Humane Society of New York, Husky House, KittyKind, Long Island Grey Hound Transfer, Loving Touch, Manhattan Valley Cat Rescue, Metro Malts, Mid Atlantic Great Dane, Pet I Care, PLUTO, Russell Refuge, Save Kitty, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, Stray from the Heart, Tigger Foundation, Urban Cat League, and a special thank you to the North Shore Animal League for the use of their 2 mobile adoption vans showcasing the dogs and cats from Animal Care and Control of New York City.

For more information about BROADWAY BARKS! 14, visit www.BroadwayBarks.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.