Tony, Grammy, and Emmy award winner Audra McDonald hosted the pre-show by performing the songs "Go Back Home" and a medley of "Children Will Listen" and "You've Got To Be Taught."

Some celebrities involved in the event included Nathan Turner, Rob and Marisol Thomas, Kate Sturino, Liev Schrieber, Mena Suvari, gala chair Georgina Bloomberg, and president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States Kitty Block.

The event was a 3D virtual experience that also included an online auction where one could pitch their business idea to former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. If chosen, they could win a trip to the Canadian winter ice floes to see mother seals give birth to their pups. The event even had a virtual photo booth that attendees could participate in.

The organization raised over $2 million from To The Rescue! event, and according to their press release,"the gala benefited the continued work of the HSUS to end the cruelest practices towards animals with a spotlight on the organization's animal rescue initiatives, farm animal protection and puppy mill campaigns and global initiatives to stop the dog meat trade."