The inaugural Fetch Pet Gala hosted by Fetch Pet Insurance at the Carlyle in New York City raised over a half of million dollars in one night for lifesaving nonprofits, marking an extraordinary evening of purpose and performance. The funds will directly support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Barks, Project Street Vet and Wags & Walks, helping pets and their people access medical care, safe shelter and essential support.
“This wasn’t just a gala – it was a movement,” said Paul Guyardo, CEO of Fetch Pet. “Together with the immense generosity of our performers, designers and partners, we created something spectacular to raise funds for pets and their people in need.”
As presenting sponsor, Kismet played a lead role in shaping the evening’s spirit of connection, compassion, and canine joy. Co-founded by Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, and guided by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Kwane Stewart, Kismet is a modern dog food brand focused on clinically proven nutrition and community impact. The partnership with Fetch Pet Insurance builds on Kismet’s broader commitment to equitable pet care and high-impact philanthropy.
“We created Kismet to serve dogs and their humans with food rooted in science and a mission rooted in love,” said Mathe Young Mosny, Kismet’s CEO. “Partnering with Fetch Pet Insurance to support organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Barks, Project Street Vet, and Wags & Walks was a natural fit. This night was more than a gala—it was a celebration of what’s possible when purpose and performance come together. We are grateful to Fetch Pet Insurance for hosting an evening that will have such a profound impact on pets and people who love them.”
During dinner, Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster, and Leslie Odom Jr. delivered unforgettable performances.
- Leslie Odom Jr. opened the evening with soulful renditions of Roberta Flack’s “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face,” his original song “Loved,” and a stirring a cappella take on Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young,” before closing with “Dear Theodosia” from Hamilton.
- Sutton Foster charmed the audience with “If I Were a Bell” from Guys and Dolls and a series of playful tributes to her rescue pets, including Ella Fitzgerald’s “Undecided,” “The Nearness of You,” and her witty parody, “Mabel This Time.”
- Bernadette Peters captivated with a trio of Stephen Sondheim classics — “(They Ask Me Why) I Believe in You,” “Losing My Mind,” and “Anyone Can Whistle” — before joining Foster for a jubilant duet of “Old Friends” from Merrily We Roll Along.
Peters and Foster served as masters of ceremonies guiding attendees through a night of music, storytelling and celebration. As the curtain fell on the gala performances, the celebration continued at the Fetch Pet After Party presented by Kismet, where guests were treated to a surprise piano set by John Legend. His intimate performance transformed the evening into a private concert, providing the perfect crescendo to a star-studded night celebrating compassion, community, and connection.
Rescue pups from North Shore Animal League America strutted the Green Carpet, presented by Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, alongside celebrities and guests wearing Collars for Cause™ custom-designed by Jeffrey Banks, James Taffin de Givenchy, Josie Natori, Irene Neuwirth and Stefania Pramma. Proceeds from the collars will benefit the gala’s charities and be featured in HERITAGE Auctions’ Holiday Luxury Accessories Signature® Auction on December 4, 2025.
“From the incredible team at Fetch Pet Insurance to our luminous and brilliant Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster and Leslie Odom Jr., and the legendary John Legend, and the sponsors who shared their heart on this special night, we’re deeply grateful for this generosity that fuels real impact,” said Danny Whitman, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. “Together, we’re helping people across the country, and their beloved furry friends, find care, life-affirming comfort and connection when they need it most.”
The evening was presented by Kismet, a modern dog food brand rooted in science-backed nutrition and giving back, co-founded by longtime dog parents and advocates Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, and guided by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Kwane Stewart, with support from Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, and SATELLAI. Tito’s Handmade Vodka was a proud sponsor of the gala. Corporate partners include AXIS Capital, Cozen O’Connor, GlobalLogic, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Icon Media Direct, JPMorganChase, Pet Insurance Quotes LLC, Raymond James, Sapiens, Tokio Marine HCC, Aon, SPRYFOX and Solomon Page and Warburg Pincus. The partnership between Fetch Pet Insurance and Broadway Cares was initiated by The Erlick Group, a leading sponsorship agency since 1992. The event highlighted the power of community, entertainment and philanthropy coming together to make a tangible impact for pets in need.
