After a one-month postponement due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy, The Human Society of the United States was finally able to hold its annual To The Rescue! New York animal gala on Tuesday night in New York City.

Celebrities from Rose McGowen of "Charmed" to "The Firm's" Tricia Helfer, along with several other notables such as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, all played dress-up and hit the red carpet to support the important cause. 

The organization has continually worked alongside local communities and law enforcement officials to rescue thousands of animals that are in the midst of less than ideal circumstances that are both abusive and natural disaster related.

Although she wasn't present, two-time Grammy winning musician Colbie Caillat was also named as the recipient of the Humane Advocate Award, which she accepted via satellite video.

To the Rescue!  New York Co-Chair Amanda Hearst, who is the proud owner of a chihuaha-dobson mix, spoke about the significance of the benefit and the positive impact it's making on Hurricane Sandy victims.

"We're honoring a lot of the heroes from Hurricane Sandy and we've raised a lot of money to get the pets back to their owners," she said.

Roberta Ashkin of the Humane Society leadership committee elaborated on the efforts that the organization is making to minimize situations of animal cruelty.

"We try to reach out to as many New Yorkers as we can to get substantial contributions for the work of the Humane Society of the United States, which involves trying to spread knowledge about the humane treatment of animals," she said. "We do that through political work, education and major initiatives where we can benefit the most animals."

Delighted to be involved with the event, another attendee, Rita Bar Or had no qualms about discussing just how impressed she was by the city of New York's resiliency to come together in lieu of animal rights.

"The functioning and contributing people of the city have given their hearts for the less fortunate and the voiceless, which are the activists," Bar Or said.

She also praised Mayor Bloomberg for showing up to address the well being of animals.

"We're happy that Mayor Bloomberg chose his candidacy to make a difference to give the attention to the homeless animals in New York."

The mayor's daughter and To The Rescue! New York Co-Chair Georgina Bloomberg, who owns five rescue dogs of her own, was also on hand. Georgina was quick to give kudos to the Animal Rescue Team for the honorable work they do on a daily basis in less than ideal circumstances across the United States.

"I've always been an animal lover. This event raises a lot of money but also raises a lot of awareness," she said. "The rescue teams are the ones that go in in natural disaster situations like that and rescue all the dogs and cats that get left behind a lot of the time."

Before making the trek back to her parent's farm in Alberta, Canada for the holidays, "The Firm's" Tricia Helder also showed up to support the cause. She happily doted on her motherhood to several rescue cats; LeBron, Frankie and Ricky to name a few.

"This event is really close to my heart. I'm a huge animal lover and advocate," Helfer stated.

The 38-year-old, who recently wrapped work on the independent film "Deadly Visions," was also quick to pay the animal team homage.

"The animal rescue team, they go all over the country.  It's got to be a very hard job when the laws prevent them from going in, or the earth prevents them from going in," she said. "I respect the job they do and am here tonight to benefit and honor them."

In 2011 and 2012 alone, the Animal Rescue Team rescued and cared for over 11,000 animals and counting. Along with increased awareness from the general public, The Humane Society is confident that the respective number can grow. Hence, the organization helps to drastically reduce the unfit circumstances that many animals wind up in.

Tags: humane society offbeat