Tony Award-winning Hairspray star Harvey Fierstein will guest-emcee the event, which was created by friends and animal lovers Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore; both creators will be part of the annual event as well. Moore said, "Bernadette and I have been so pleased with the success and popularity of Broadway Barks!, and we are continually amazed and touched by the legions of theatre fans and animal lovers who support this event every year. Thousands of dogs and cats in New York's shelters are in desperate need of homes, and so many homeless animals are in danger of being euthanized. It is so easy to rescue these lovable animals by adopting them through the shelters participating in Broadway Barks!"

This year's fundraiser will also address the importance of spaying and neutering. Peters, who is currently starring at the Shubert Theatre in Gypsy, says, "Shelter adoption is one of the main focuses of Broadway Barks!, but one of the best ways to prevent overpopulation and to save animals' lives is by spaying and neutering. All of the shelters participating in Broadway Barks! will have plenty of information available about the benefits of pet neutering and shelter adoption."

A host of Broadway stars will also be on hand to present animals for adoption. Among those scheduled to join Peters and Moore are Laura Benanti, Tammy Blanchard, Kate Buddeke, John Dossett, Linda Emond, Edie Falco, Sutton Foster, Julie Halston, Linda Hart, Dick Latessa, Heather Lee, Mary Stuart Masterson, Jon Secada and Leslie Uggams. The celebrity presentations begin at 5:30 PM.

Among the shelters who will contribute pets to Broadway Barks 5! include A Cause for Paws, Animal Haven, ASPCA, BARC Shelter, Bide-A-Wee, Bobby and the Strays, CACC, City Critters, The Humane Society of New York, JRCTA Russell Rescue, Kitty Kind, Long Island Greyhound Transfer, Loving Touch, Manhattan Valley Cat Rescue, Metropolitan Maltese Rescue, Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, New York Siamese Rescue, Northeastern Boxer Rescue, Pet-I-Care, PLUTO Rescue, SICAW, Stray from the Heart and The Tigger Foundation. Proceeds from the auction and other donations received on July 12 will benefit the various shelters and organizations.

For more information about Broadway Barks 5!, call (212) 840-0770, ext. 477, or visit www.officialbroadwaybarks.org. Shubert Alley is located between 44th and 45th Streets (and between Broadway and Eighth Avenue) in New York City.