Famous fans of our four-legged friends gathered at TriBeCa 360o in New York City recently for a “Celebration of Rescue,” a gala event in support of the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, North Shore Animal League America.
Host BRIAN BALTHAZAR kicks off North Shore Animal League America’s CELEBRATION OF RESCUE. PHOTO CREDIT: AMY MAYES PHOTOGRAPHY
The host of the swank soiree was Brian Balthazar, TV personality/ executive producer/ North Shore Animal League celebrity ambassador and proud pet parent to a rescue dog named Friday. Princeton, Balthazar’s other rescue dog, crossed Rainbow Bridge in the fall of 2023, and in a touching Instagram post he stated: “A tribute to the life of Princeton is a tribute to the boundless love, joy and fulfillment that comes from pet adoption.”
Event Chairperson was National North Shore Animal League Spokesperson Beth Stern. A pet parent to a clowder of cats, including Bella, Cocomelon, Helen Rose, Pebble, and Walter, Stern and her husband radio and TV star Howard Stern have fostered more than 2,000 cats and kittens, and have helped cats who need a forever home through Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center, a 14,000-square-foot facility on the second floor of North Shore Animal League America’s adoption center.
Actress/Singer-Songwriter MAYA HAWKE attends North Shore Animal League America’s CELEBRATION OF RESCUE. PHOTO CREDIT: AMY MAYES PHOTOGRAPHY
Among the attendees who walked the event’s blue carpet with some VIPS (Very Important–and adoptable!– pups) were:
- actress Maya Hawke
- actress Kathryn Erbe, who led the way during North Shore Animal League America’s 2022 Walk and Wag fundraiser
- ABC News Will Ganss, a doting Dad to Archie, a rescue dog from North Shore Animal League America
- Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress Selenis Levya, a pet parent to a dog named Zeus and a cat called Oreo)
- celebrity chef/New York Times best-selling author Rocco diSpirito, who has treated adoptables with gourmet noms during several Kitten Bowls
- comedian Robyn Schall
- Grammy Award winner Thelma Houston, who wowed the crowd with an electrifying performance
Chef/Best-Selling Author ROCCO DISPIRITO is greeted with puppy kisses at North Shore Animal League America’s CELEBRATION OF RESCUE. PHOTO CREDIT: AMY MAYES PHOTOGRAPHY
Throughout the evening the animal-loving luminaries enjoyed cocktail hour, a Puppy Photo Experience and videos narrated by actors Edie Falco and Lily Rabe which highlighted heartwarming tales of dogs and cats who have received care and found forever families to love thanks to North Shore Animal League America.
A highlight was the presentation of the Crystal Collar Award, with Baby Doge Community receiving the honor for their dedication to Animal League America’s mission.
While the event may be over, an online auction includes such lots as tickets to a Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden, tapings of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, tickets to a NY Rangers home game, a Brooklyn Nets home game, vacation stays, fine jewelry, autographed sports and music memorabilia, original art and more. The online auction is live through November 27th.
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