A night of Broadway performances, familiar music and celebrity appearances took on a bigger purpose in New York as entertainers came together to support animals and people in need. The 2026 Fetch Pet Gala brought together Cyndi Lauper, Ariana DeBose, Darren Criss and Bernadette Peters, raising more than $750,000 for four nonprofit organisations working across animal welfare and community support.Held on October 19 at The Carlyle Hotel, the second annual gala combined live entertainment with an adoption-focused initiative. According to a November 3 announcement distributed by PR Newswire on behalf of sponsor SATELLAI, the fundraiser pushed the event’s two-year collection beyond $1.2 million. The evening demonstrated how familiar faces from music, film and theatre can draw attention to causes that often need sustained public support.
Cyndi Lauper made a surprise appearance
One of the evening’s biggest moments came when Cyndi Lauper joined the performers as a surprise guest. The singer delivered performances of ‘Time After Time’, ‘True Colors’ and ‘Fearless’, bringing her signature energy to the gathering.Cyndi Lauper is an American singer, songwriter and actor who shot to international fame in the 1980s with hits like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” She’s also known for her advocacy, especially her work supporting LGBTQ+ communities through True Colors United.According to Parade, Lauper also appeared on the green carpet alongside a rescue dog from North Shore Animal League America. Her participation helped connect the evening’s musical celebrations with its central message: giving vulnerable animals a better chance at finding permanent homes.
Ariana DeBose brought Broadway energy to the gala
Ariana DeBose was among the featured performers at the event. The actor, singer and dancer is known for her Academy Award-winning performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ and for her work in theatre and film.DeBose shared the stage with Darren Criss for a duet of ‘Shallow’, the song from ‘A Star Is Born’. Their performance added a musical highlight to an evening that brought together artists from different corners of the entertainment industry.Her presence also reflected the strong connection between Broadway and the fundraiser. Theatre performers and supporters have long been involved in charitable initiatives, making the gala a natural gathering point for the performing arts community.
Darren Criss performed despite a packed schedule
Darren Criss also took the stage, performing ‘Almost Like Being in Love’ and ‘Mack the Knife’. He joined DeBose for their duet, giving the audience another memorable musical moment. In an interview, Criss revealed that he had arrived in New York only hours after performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Despite the demanding schedule, he took part in the fundraiser, underlining the importance of the cause to the performers involved.
Bernadette Peters hosted the evening
Broadway veteran Bernadette Peters was another central figure at the gala. The award-winning actress and singer has enjoyed a decades-long career, with acclaimed performances in productions such as ‘Sunday in the Park with George’, ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Annie Get Your Gun‘.Peters hosted the evening and performed onstage, which was a fitting role given her long commitment to animal welfare. She co-founded Broadway Barks, an organization that partners with animal shelters and rescue groups to encourage adoption.The event brought together two important parts of her life: her work in theatre and her efforts to help animals find safe, loving homes.
Adoptable dogs received their own red-carpet moment
Beyond the celebrity performances, adoptable dogs from North Shore Animal League America became an important part of the evening. Instead of limiting the event to a conventional celebrity red carpet, organizers created a green-carpet experience that included rescue animals.Before the gala, Fetch Pet Insurance and SATELLAI supported a professional photoshoot organized by Stronger Shot, an initiative that uses photography and storytelling to help shelter animals attract potential adopters. The dogs were photographed and then featured at the event, giving them visibility in front of a wider audience.SATELLAI also announced that it would provide complimentary Collar Go devices to five pet parents adopting dogs from North Shore Animal League America. The initiative extended the event’s adoption message beyond the evening itself.