Bernadette Peters Joins the A to Ring NASDAQ Opening Bell

Today was a special day for the ASPCA-- we were invited to ring the opening bell (right) at NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System). During the festivities, the ASPCA announced its sponsorship of the ninth annual Broadway Barks!, which takes place tomorrow in Times Square’s Shubert Alley, and the ASPCA logo appeared on the NASDAQ jumbotron marquee located at Broadway and 43rd Street in the heart of Times Square (below).



Bernadette Peters’ and Mary Tyler Moore’s passion for animals led to the formation of Broadway Barks!, a star-studded, annual dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event is produced by Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by the ASPCA, with additional sponsorship by the New York Times,Pedigree® and RCA Small Wonder. It attracts thousands of theater fans and pet lovers, and features more than 24 animal shelters and rescue groups from the New York City area. (See post below.)

The ASPCA’s Executive Vice President of Operations, Stephen Musso, spoke briefly about the efforts of the ASPCA’s Mission: Orange campaign, and lauded New York City’s Animal Care & Control milestone of 2006, where euthanasia at city shelters fell below 50 percent for the first time in the city's history.

Ms. Peters spoke of her own experiences adopting shelter pets, including her dog, Kramer, from the ASPCA, and encouraged the audience to support New York City’s homeless animals and attend the event.

Also on hand were the organizers and producers of Broadway Barks 9!, including Patty Saccente, Scott Stevens and Judy Katz, as well as executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Tom Viola. Heidi Leonard of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, ASPCA volunteers Harriet Levine and Susan Huegel and ASPCA staff were also present.

The ASPCA’s opening of the market was broadcast on Bloomberg, Bloomberg Brazil, CNBC, CNBC India, NDTV (New Delhi), Business News Network (Canada) and CNBC.Com.

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© Copyright 2007, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Reprinted with permission.