Photo Coverage: ASPCA Canine Talent Show

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

The talent show helped 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 trumped 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 were 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, was 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. 

www.aspca.org for more information.

Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters, Angie Martinez and Prince Lorenzo Borghese

Lorenzo Borghese and Annemarie Lucas, real-life ASCPA officer and star of TV reality show about animals

Bernadette Peters and Angie Martinez tabulating scores to determine a winner

Bernadette Peters, Angie Martinez, Lorenzo Borghese and Annemarie Lucas

One of the competing dogs

Winning dog pushing another dog in a baby carriage

Victoria Wells of the ASPCA hands out the first prize ribbon and medal

A close runner-up

ASPCA worker and puppies available for adoption

Bernadette Peters and pup

Annemarie Lucas

Lorenzo Borghese

Angie Martinez

Anita Kelso Edson of the ASPCA and Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters, Annemarie Lucas and Angie Martinez

Lorenzo Borghese

Bernadette Peters, Annemarie Lucas, Angie Martinez and Lorenzo Borghese