Jan 24, 2025 - Culture

Root for local pups in the Puppy Bowl

Chrissy Suttles

A black dog in a blue bandana. — Centaur from Animal Friends will compete in Puppy Bowl XXI. Photo: Courtesy of John Nowak, Warner Bros. Discovery

Before all eyes are on New Orleans for Super Bowl Sunday, four Pittsburgh pups will hit the gridiron to compete for the famed Lombarky trophy in Puppy Bowl XXI.

Why it matters: The endearing call-to-adopt Super Bowl spinoff puts animal rescues on a national stage and boosts shelter adoption rates, organizers say.

Driving the news: Paws Across Pittsburgh is sending Franco, Mercury and Sully; Animal Friends is sending Centaur.

Centaur, Sully and Mercury will play for Team Fluff and Franco will represent Team Ruff.

The big picture: Animal Planet is celebrating 21 years of third-quarter naps with its largest field of players to date.

142 dogs are competing from 80 rescues spanning 40 states and two countries.

What's next: The action will be simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, discovery+ and Max starting at 2pm Feb. 9.

Paws Across Pittsburgh is hosting a celebration meet-and-greet with some of the puppy players on Feb. 16. Admission is $20.

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Root for local pups in the Puppy Bowl

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