Attendees Included Event Chairperson Beth Stern, Event Host Will Ganss, Entertainer Joshua Radin, Liz Gillies, The Dogist Elias Weiss Friedman, and Others.

Proceeds Support the Ongoing Mission to Rescue, Nurture, Adopt, and Educate.

North Shore Animal League America hosted its yearly Rescue Gala on Friday, June 12, at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City. The gathering attracted animal advocates from across the region, including many who have welcomed pets from the organization into their homes.

ABC News personality and animal adopter Will Ganss brought energy and humor as host for the evening. Beth Stern, a dedicated foster parent, spokesperson, board member, and author of the children's book Coco and Stephen Together Forever, served as event chairperson.

The program spotlighted the dedication of staff and volunteers who create brighter futures for animals in need. Moving accounts of rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption were paired with footage showing the resources required to sustain this vital work.

Singer and songwriter Joshua Radin performed his new track Tomorrow's Gonna Be Better, accompanied by a video display featuring adopted animals and some still seeking homes. DJ Jon Blak energized the dance floor later in the night, while Jessa V. and The Fringe provided music during cocktails and dinner.

The Crystal Collar Award went to Jeff Schick for his sustained support and advocacy to place shelter animals in caring homes. Abraham Lincoln High School in Coney Island earned the Mutt-i-grees Crystal Collar Award for its long-standing use of the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum and the fundraising work of its student ambassadors.

Notable guests who walked the blue carpet while holding adoptable puppies included Beth Stern, Will Ganss and his fiance Jason Sparks, Joshua Radin, actress and singer Liz Gillies, photographer and author Elias Weiss Friedman known as The Dogist, TV producer Brian Balthazar, fashion designer Marc Bouwer, filmmaker Don Hardy, and board member Don LaRocca Jr.

Rescue Gala sponsors included Fetch Pet Insurance, MWI Animal Health Cencora, LifeProof with Petproof Technology at The Home Depot, EatStrong, Boehringer Ingelheim, Northwell Health, Neuberger Wealth, Covetrus, Jeff and Robin Schick, Zeta, Production Solutions, Jovia Financial Credit Union, Perlman and Perlman, Direct Mail Processors, Tito's Vodka, Victoria Perla and Paul Guyardo, Zoetis, Morgan Stanley, and IDEXX.

In-kind donations came from AIG Graphics, Earth Rated, Found My Animal, Joshua Radin, MelMade Cookies, Minuteman Press Glen Cove, Pure Pup Paste, RR Donnelly, SamiaLynn Illustrations and Design, Sketches by Deanna First, and VideoMagic.

All proceeds from the gala advance North Shore Animal League America's no-kill mission to rescue, nurture, adopt, and educate. This support allows the organization to save additional animals and ensure excellent care while they await loving forever homes.

North Shore Animal League America is the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization and has saved more than 1.2 million dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from euthanasia. The group rescues animals from overcrowded shelters, commercial breeding facilities, disasters, and other crises, then matches them with responsible homes. It promotes shelter adoptions, spay and neuter programs, reduced cruelty, and high welfare standards.