YouTube/Animal Planet
Once again this year, the brave and the bold will face off against each other for the world to see, all in the name of the sport! If it isn’t obvious, the Puppy Bowl XIV is coming back for all the animal lovers out there! This year, the Puppy Bowl is giving back by featuring animals rescued from areas impacted by hurricanes.
There are all types of animals coming out to put on the show this year, including some you might not think of as pets! That said, the show can still help you bring a pet into your own home!
Puppies from Mexico & Puerto Rico will be in the show
In a statement with Fox News, Dan Schachner, the event’s returning “rufferee,” listed some of the rescue puppies who will feature in the game.
“We have Mango from Mexico; we have Tyler rescued from the flood waters of Hurricane Harvey; we have several puppies from the Miami area…”
In addition, there will also be rescue dogs from Puerto Rico.
How does the Puppy Bowl help rescue puppies?
Animal Planet works with 48 different shelters and rescue organizations across 25 states and territories to find rescue puppies in need. After playing, the puppies are sent to a new home.
Schachner explained the success rate the Puppy Bowl has had finding the puppies new homes:
“We have a 100 percent adoption rate. So every year however many puppies you see participating in Puppy Bowl, they all do get adopted almost right away as soon as the show airs.”
Viewers themselves can adopt the very puppies they see on television by logging into the official Animal Planet website to contact their respective shelters. As Schachner noted, even if the puppy of your choice is taken, they likely still have brothers and sisters that could be available and are in need of a good home:
“Chances are that dog is part of a litter or they have similar dogs that would also make a good fit for somebody’s family or home.”
What to expect from the Puppy Bowl show?
If you are on the feline side of the eternal war between cats and dogs, the show has already got you covered. There will be a “Kitty Half-Time Show” that will feature the kittens dancing to Justin Timberlake songs, referencing him being the performer of the 2018 Super Bowl half-time show.
According to Schachner, the kittens are getting new homes too:
“It is 20 adoptable cats, all from the ASPCA, who are performing in honor of the great JT doing it at the big game this year: NSYNC’s ‘Bye Bye Bye’ but sung [as] Meow, Meow, Meow.’”
There is also a spin-off aimed around older dogs, “Puppy Bowl Presents: The Dog Bowl,” that will feature 50 adult dogs:
“Older dogs can often be a great fit too. Myself, I foster dogs, and I find that older dogs are easier. I have a busy household, young kids, and that’s what we’re trying to let people know. Don’t overlook the older dogs that are languishing often in shelters. They might be the right fit for your family.”
Even bird lovers will have something to look forward to! An African grey parrot named Bird will lost live-updates of the show on social media. Rumors has it that he’ll have some humans helping him, but just play along.
Also, did I forget to mention there’s a sloth?
Ultimately, according to Schachner, the main message of the show is “love” and is meant to be remembered all year-round:
“Like they say ‘Don’t just be merry at Christmas, have it extend throughout the whole year,’ and it’s the same idea with Puppy Bowl. We want the love and the thoughtfulness towards these pets that need our help to extend all year long.”
The show will air Sunday, Feb. 4, at 3 p.m. ET on Animal Planet.