Co-hosted by Barks founders Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, the annual event raised $60,000, which will be distributed to the 23 shelters involved with the worthy organization. Additionally, 35 animals from area shelters were adopted during the adopt-a-thon, which also featured Hairspray's Harvey Fierstein as a guest emcee.

A host of Broadway stars were on hand at the event to present animals for adoption. Those who joined Peters and Moore in the famed Alley included 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. Among the shelters who contributed pets to Broadway Barks 5! were 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.

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This year's fundraiser also addressed the importance of spaying and neutering. Peters, who is currently starring at the Shubert Theatre in Gypsy, said, "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."

For more information about Broadway Barks, visit www.officialbroadwaybarks.org.