Get ready for a flurry of fur, fun, and adorable touchdowns! The Puppy Bowl, a heartwarming event that celebrates animal adoption, is back for its 21st edition on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9th. This year, 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries will compete for the coveted title.
The Puppy Bowl is a pre-taped event that airs on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, and truTV, and can also be streamed on Discovery+, Max, or Fubo. The game features two opposing teams, Team Ruff and Team Fluff, who compete by dragging football-shaped toys into the end zone for a "puppy touchdown." This year, the event will feature a record number of four-legged athletes, including 11 dogs with special needs.
One of the participating dogs, Redbud, a miniature American shepherd and Australian cattle dog mix, is from Oklahoma. Redbud was originally a dog in the Oklahoma Humane Adoption Program before she was adopted. The Humane Society has even created limited-edition merchandise with Redbud's face on it, including mugs, shirts, and sweatshirts.
The Puppy Bowl is more than just a fun and entertaining event. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of adopting pets from shelters and rescuing abandoned animals. The event highlights the stories of these dogs, from their births and rescues to their adoptions, and the people behind the shelters that make it all possible.