Comedian Nate Bargatze Adopts Dog From Pennsylvania SPCA, Names Her 'Philly'

PHILADELPHIA — Nate Bargatze is one of the biggest names in stand-up comedy right now.

The Grammy- and Emmy-nominated comedian from Tennessee, who performs a clean act, and had hosted "Saturday Night Live" twice, performed at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia over the weekend.

And while delivering his act, Bargatze announced he adopted his second dog from a local shelter.

The Pennsylvania SPCA said its team introduced the comedian to some adoptable dogs before his show Friday.

Bargatze ended up adopting one, formerly named Strudel, and named her "Philly."

"Philly will always hold a special place in my heart," he said on social media. "And now in my home."

The SPCA said Friday was "a day we’ll never forget."

"Here at the Pennsylvania SPCA, there's nothing we want more than to find loving homes for every animal that comes through our doors," the group said on social media. "We rescue animals from heartbreaking situations - cases of cruelty and neglect - and we give them the second chance they deserve. We always dream that perhaps one of the pups we bring will be adopted by the featured artist, and on Friday that dream became a reality!"

Bargatze said in his act that while Philly might not appear to be a rescue ("She looks like she was rescued from a mansion," he quipped to uproar), she was kept in poor conditions at a breeder.

The PSPCA said Philly was rescued alongside nearly two dozen other dogs by its Animal Law Enforcement team in late July.

"She did pretty good for being up here," he said from the stage at the arena. Maybe Philly will become a regular in his act.

"We couldn't be happier that Strudel, now Philly, is going to have the very best life with Nate and his family," the PSPCA said. "This adoption is so special because it shows the world exactly why we do what we do and just how much it matters. Every time someone chooses to adopt, they're not just changing one animal's life - they're helping save another."