'Broadway Barks' Harnesses the Power of the Stage to Find Homes for Animals

Broadway Barks is a nonprofit organization that involves Broadway stars benefiting New York City's animal shelters. The outfit will hold their 18th annual adoption event on July 30 to help shelter animals find homes.

This year's event will be hosted by none other than famed Cuban-American singer, Gloria Estefan. TheaterMania.Com details the company's founding and stars of the show:

"Founded by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, Broadway Barks features celebrities from the hottest shows currently on Broadway. This year's event will be hosted by Bernadette Peters and Gloria Estefan (On Your Feet!)."

The July 30 event will be held on Broadway's pedestrian landmark, Shubert Alley. Starting at 3pm that day, participants are able to meet the numerous pets in need of adoption. Celebrity presentations of certain adoptable animals will also take place later that evening.

Broadway.Com highlights some information on the nonprofit organization and upcoming event:

"Broadway Barks helps shelter animals find permanent homes. Every year, the Broadway community comes together to introduce dogs and cats to New Yorkers and encourage adopting from the 27 participating animal rescue groups."

Around seven-and-a-half million animals are placed in animal shelters every year in the United States. Approximately two-and-a-half million of these animals are euthanized each year. Broadway Barks is doing its part to help counteract those statistics.

Celebrities scheduled to participate in the July event include such Broadway stars as Alma E. Cuervo (On Your Feet!), Peter Scolari (Wicked), Amra-Faye Wright (Chicago), Willow McCarthy and Rick Holmes (both from Matilda The Musical), Sierra Boggess (School of Rock), Jill Paice (An American in Paris) and many, many more.

Co-founder Bernadette Peters was honored with a special Tony Award in 2012 for her charitable work with Broadway Barks, the Isabelle Stevenson Award.

Below, watch some footage from last year's Broadway Barks event, including Ms. Peters singing to one of the adoptable dogs!

We want to hear from you! What do you think of the Broadway Barks organization and their heroic animal adoption event each year? Let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

TagsBroadway Barks, Mary Tyler Moore, Bernadette Peters, Gloria Estefan