‘Pawject Runway’ brings adoptable pets and celebrity advocates to Baltimore
Updated: 10:55 AM EDT Apr 16, 2026
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It’s a runway with real cats on the catwalk and where folks can go home with a model, as “Pawject Runway” is back next week at CFG Bank Arena.It’s a huge fundraiser for two local nonprofit organizations that are also trying to educate against animal cruelty. Noelle Patterson is the director of philanthropy and communications for the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter.”Skye here is one of our models. She’s 10 weeks old, and she’ll be walking the runway,” Patterson said. The little dog Skye is going to be making her debut on the big stage next week as BARCS and Show Your Soft Side join forces for what is their most popular “Pawject Runway” fundraiser. “It is a huge fundraiser. It raises critical funding for the thousands of animals that come through our doors every year,” Patterson said. “It usually raises between $250,000-$300,000, and that is split between BARCS and Show Your Soft Side.”All the animals are from BARCS, and on the runway, the models might be too friendly and may take a lick or sniff. They are paired on the catwalk with “softies,” who are celebrities and athletes, spreading the message, “Only a punk would hurt a cat or a dog.””I think anybody who would harm an animal should be taken out of society. If you (can) hurt something as innocent as an animal, who knows what you would do to people,” MMA fighter John Rallo said. Rallo is a longtime “softy” and repeat adopter. In fact, Oak is the Cat, who rode out the January snowstorm in a Rosedale tree, is now Rocky Rallo.”When we saw Rocky and what he went through, my wife Angel, she was like, ‘Oh my God. He’s a fighter. He deserves a home.’ So, we have him (and) man, he’s amazing,” Rallo said. “Pawject Runway” has grown so much that it’s being held this year at CFG Bank Arena on Friday, April 24, from 6 to 10 p.m., and it is family-friendly.”We’ve got some new activities this year, too. We have some high-end craft stations like some DIY leash, charms, keychains, custom things for your pets,” Patterson said. “We have a lot of cool softies coming. I’ll be there, John Minadakis, Frank Remish. We have singers like Jimmy Charles and John Allen (as well as) members of the DeCosta family,” Rallo said. “We have possibly some Ravens coming.””Pawject Runway” aims to educate the public and provide an opportunity for people to adopt new furry family members.
BALTIMORE —
It’s a runway with real cats on the catwalk and where folks can go home with a model, as “Pawject Runway” is back next week at CFG Bank Arena.
It’s a huge fundraiser for two local nonprofit organizations that are also trying to educate against animal cruelty. Noelle Patterson is the director of philanthropy and communications for the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter.
“Skye here is one of our models. She’s 10 weeks old, and she’ll be walking the runway,” Patterson said.
The little dog Skye is going to be making her debut on the big stage next week as BARCS and Show Your Soft Side join forces for what is their most popular “Pawject Runway” fundraiser.
“It is a huge fundraiser. It raises critical funding for the thousands of animals that come through our doors every year,” Patterson said. “It usually raises between $250,000-$300,000, and that is split between BARCS and Show Your Soft Side.”
All the animals are from BARCS, and on the runway, the models might be too friendly and may take a lick or sniff. They are paired on the catwalk with “softies,” who are celebrities and athletes, spreading the message, “Only a punk would hurt a cat or a dog.”
“I think anybody who would harm an animal should be taken out of society. If you (can) hurt something as innocent as an animal, who knows what you would do to people,” MMA fighter John Rallo said.
Rallo is a longtime “softy” and repeat adopter. In fact, Oak is the Cat, who rode out the January snowstorm in a Rosedale tree, is now Rocky Rallo.
“When we saw Rocky and what he went through, my wife Angel, she was like, ‘Oh my God. He’s a fighter. He deserves a home.’ So, we have him (and) man, he’s amazing,” Rallo said.
“Pawject Runway” has grown so much that it’s being held this year at CFG Bank Arena on Friday, April 24, from 6 to 10 p.m., and it is family-friendly.
“We’ve got some new activities this year, too. We have some high-end craft stations like some DIY leash, charms, keychains, custom things for your pets,” Patterson said.
“We have a lot of cool softies coming. I’ll be there, John Minadakis, Frank Remish. We have singers like Jimmy Charles and John Allen (as well as) members of the DeCosta family,” Rallo said. “We have possibly some Ravens coming.”
“Pawject Runway” aims to educate the public and provide an opportunity for people to adopt new furry family members.