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Shubert Alley was filled with wagging tails, hopeful purrs and rapt applause as Broadway Barks returned on July 11, 2026. The beloved annual adoption event brought together Broadway stars, local rescue organizations and animal lovers for an afternoon dedicated to helping cats and dogs find loving homes.

Broadway Barks co-founder and three-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters, joined by co-host and Tony Award nominee Andrew Rannells, welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of animal lovers to meet the precious pups and curious cats from 26 New York City-area shelters and rescue organizations.

While introducing a dog named Xander, Peters joked, “Xander peed on me earlier, and I feel blessed.” Without missing a beat, Rannells added, “And if you adopt Xander, you can say your dog peed on Bernadette Peters!”

Adoptable pets took center stage in the arms of Broadway favorites, including 2026 Tony Award winners and nominees Shoshana Bean, Sara Chase, Deborah Cox, Ana Gasteyer, Laurie Metcalf and Sam Tutty.

“I don’t think Cornelius will make it back to his table,” Cox said clutching a furry Pomeranian puppy, “because he’s coming to my dressing room!”

Rescue organizations lined Shubert Alley and West 45th Street, where visitors had the chance to meet the cats and dogs up close before each animal took center stage, one by one, in search of a forever home.

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Broadway Barks was founded in 1999 by Peters and the late Mary Tyler Moore, both lifelong animal advocates. Since then, the event has helped more than 2,500 animals find homes and has raised awareness for pet adoption across the city.

This year’s event also featured a cheeky opening number as the cast of & Juliet, led by Michael Ivan Carrier and Nathan Levy, performed a canine-inspired twist on Katy Perry’s hit “I Kissed a Girl,” hilariously reimagined as “I Kissed a Dog (and I Liked It).”

Additional Broadway guests helping the adoption action were Ben Ahlers, Isa Antonetti, Caleb A. Barnett, Melissa Barrera, Bryson Battle, Natalie Venetia Belcon, LJ Benet, Emily Bergl, Bill Berloni, Joshua Boone, Jonathan Burke, Baby Byrne, Don Cheadle, Marcus Choi, Max Clayton, Leana Rae Concepcion, Lilli Cooper, Ben Davis, Jennifer Duka, Ayo Edebiri, Claybourne Elder, Emma Flynn, Drew Gehling, J. Harrison Ghee, Miguel Gil, Frankie Grande, Jin Ha, Blake Hammond, Ann Harada, Sydney James Harcourt, Gianna Harris, Ellen Harvey, Jessica Hecht, Laurie Hernandez, Ivan Hernandez , Olivia Holt, Dava Huesca, Nikki M. James, Isaiah Johnson, Jeremy Jordan, Julie Knitel, Jeff Kready, Junior Labeija, Ricki Lake, Alison Luff, Jak Malone, Da’Von T. Moody, Gaby Moreno, Bebe Neuwirth, Paul Alexander Nolan, Brad Oscar, Benjamin Pajak, Zachary Noah Piser, John Riddle, Amanda Jill Robinson, Victor De Paula Rocha, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Michael Shayan, Emma Sofia, Dennis Stowe, Jake Termine, Jordan Tyson, Adrienne Warren, Maria Wirries, Wesley Wray and Richard Riaz Yoder.

Participating shelters and rescues were 1 Love 4 Animals, Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue Inc., Adopt A Boxer Rescue, Animal Care Centers of New York City, Animal Project NYC, Badass Animal Rescue, Best Friends Animal Society, Bideawee, Big Apple Cat Rescue, Bobbi & the Strays, City Critters, Every Last One, Give Me Shelter, Hearts & Bones Rescue, Hudson Paws, Husky House, Linda’s Cat Assistance, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, North Shore Animal League, Pet ResQ Inc., Remember Me Rescue, SaveKitty Foundation, Second Chance Rescue, SPCA Westchester, Urban Cat League and Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue.

Broadway Barks producers were Richard Hester, Patty Saccente and Scott T. Stevens.

Photos by Heather Gershonowitz

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