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Bernadette Peters rescues dogs, raises awareness and cash to help animals


Bernadette Peters and her dog Kramer (Geoffrey Tischman)

Some people are born with a compassionate heart.  Others are born with unimaginable talent.  When Bernadette Peters came into the world, she had both.  

Through her amazing voice, acting abilities and writing skills Ms. Peters has enriched the lives of millions of people around the globe.  But it is her work on behalf of companion animals that provides a window into how selfless a person she is.

Tapping into her vast resources on Broadway, Ms. Peters along with Mary Tyler Moore, founded Broadway Barks, an annual star-studded event that benefits countless animal rescue organizations in New York City.  

Not only does Broadway Barks raise thousands of dollars, it also features an on site Adopt-A-Thon where homeless dogs and cats are placed into new homes.

Scott Stevens, a producer of Broadway Barks and close friend of Ms. Peters says, "Animals never, ever take the back burner with her (Ms. Peters).  She is all about the animals.  She is absolutely passionate, recruiting everyone she knows to help with the event (Broadway Barks), and they respond - just like she's the pied piper."

Stevens goes on to describe a typical week of animal rescue for Ms. Peters: "She spends hours and hours each week, driving her own car to overcrowded animal shelters, taking dogs out, then delivering them to foster homes or private shelters."

When asked if Ms. Peters ever shows her emotions from being on the front lines of animal rescue, Stevens says, "I'm sure there is a boiling point.  She is trying to undue the damage done by others."

Ms. Peters will be appearing with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Hall tonight, Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 p.m.  She will be performing an evening of songs from the Broadway shows she has received accolades for as well as from her Grammy-Award winning albums including the standards, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Stephen Sondheim.  

Tickets are still available:  $20-$90, SFS Ticket Services at (415) 864-6000 or online at sfsymphony.org.

The 11th Annual Broadway Barks
SHUBERT ALLEY
Saturday, July 11
3:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Celebrities scheduled to appear:  Ashanti, Elizabeth Ashley, Jayne Atkinson, Bill Berloni, Stephanie J. Block, Matt Cavanaugh, Michael Cerveris, Gavin Creel, Hope Davis, Christine Ebersole, Rupert Everett, among others.

Broadway Barks is produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by Pedigree and the ASPCA.

Bernadette Peters

 

 

A lifelong dog and animal advocate, Shelley Frost wrote Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know about Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need (The Lyons Press, 2007) with coauthor Katerina Makris.

Email Shelley: shelley@youradopteddog.com, and visit www.youradopteddog.com

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SF Dogs Examiner

Shelley has served in both executive and volunteer positions at animal shelters. A co-author of Your Adopted Dog, she also produces documentaries...

Comments

  • Katerina, San Diego Dogs Examiner 2 years ago
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    Great profile of a great talent!

  • Barbara, SF Cats Examiner 2 years ago
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    Sorry I'll miss her performance. I love her voice. Thank goodness we have celebrities like Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore and others like Betty White and Bea Arthur when she was still with us(the list could go on) giving generously of their time for animals. They do so much to raise awareness among the public about critical animal welfare issues.

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