One of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the season is almost here: Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XII. On Sunday, Feb. 7 (aka Super Bowl Sunday), more than 80 puppies from 44 shelters and rescue groups will duke it out to take home the coveted MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) award. Pet lovers, this is must-see TV.
Like last year’s competition, the puppies will be split into two teams: Team Fluff and Team Ruff — and a scoreboard will track each team’s points. But puppies aren’t the only animals who will get to shine in the spotlight: Kittens will take over the San Francisco-inspired halftime show; Meep the Bird will tweet commentary; Stanley the Skunk will act as a special assistant ref to head ref Dan Schachner; five silkie chicken cheerleaders will root (cluck?) on the sidelines; and last but not least, a turtle is going to streak across the field!
Besides all the cuteness, what we love most about the Puppy Bowl is that all the puppies and kittens come from shelters or rescue groups across the United States and Puerto Rico — and all are either adoptable or have found forever homes. The competition also promotes senior pet adoption with a special ceremony led by Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bruce Smith honoring past puppy MVPs.
Puppy Bowl XII airs on Animal Planet on Sunday, Feb. 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. EST/PST, and repeats all day and night for 12 hours. Until then, you can check out the new Puppy Bowl Virtual Reality experience, create a Puppy Bowl fantasy team and see the Puppy Bowl starting lineup below. Which puppy are you rooting for?
Name: Otis Breed:Bulldog Age: 17 weeks Rescue Group: Williamson County Animal Center, Tennessee Team: Ruff Fun Fact: Often mistaken for W. C. Fields
Name: Bijoux Breed:Great Dane Age: 12 weeks Rescue Group: Florida Little Dog Rescue, Florida Team: Fluff Fun Fact: Kisses toads in hopes of finding Prince Charming
Name: Gryffin Breed:Old English Sheepdog Age: 15 weeks Rescue Group: Florida Little Dog Rescue, Florida Team: Fluff Fun Fact: Likes shaggy-dog stories
Name: Timon Breed: Terrier Age: 13 weeks Rescue Group: Miami-Dade County Animal Services, Florida Team: Fluff Fun Fact: Searching for a friend named Pumbaa
Name: Splash Breed:Great Pyrenees Age: 14 weeks Rescue Group: Last Hope K9 Rescue, Massachusetts Team: Fluff Fun Fact: Believes in mermaids
Name: Leah Breed:Rottweiler Age: 15 weeks Rescue Group: Morris Animal Refuge, Pennsylvania Team: Ruff Fun Fact: Thinks naps are overrated
Name: Jimmy Breed: Spaniel mix Age: 12 weeks Rescue Group: AHeinz57 Pet Rescue, Iowa Team: Ruff Fun Fact: Considers the Kardashians his guilty pleasure
Name: Raphael Breed:Pit Bull Age: 13 weeks Rescue Group: Williamson County Animal Center, Tennessee Team: Ruff Fun Fact: Has a crush on Carrie Underwood
Name: Toby Breed:Maltese Age: 18 weeks Rescue Group: Nevada SPCA, Nevada Team: Ruff Fun Fact: Never leaves home without sunscreen
Name: Piper Breed:Border Terrier Age: 19 weeks Rescue Group: Animal Aid Inc., Florida Team: Ruff Fun Fact: Signs her paintings with the pseudonym, Pawblo Pawcasso
