PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t the only local competitors who will be garnering the nation’s attention on Super Bowl Sunday.
For the 19th year, Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl will take place. Shelter animals from the Philadelphia area and across the country will go tail-to-tail competing for the Lombarky Trophy, raising awareness for a great cause.
122 dogs from 67 shelters, including several from this area, will be highlighted in the football-themed event.
The dogs are divided into two teams: Team Ruff and Team Fluff. The canines run, play and fetch on the field.
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“Puppy Bowl is a ton of fun, and who doesn’t want to see puppies romping across a football field?” said Brandywine Valley SPCA spokesperson Linda Torelli.
“The real story here is how wonderful rescue pups are, and we’re really grateful to Animal Planet for shining the spotlight on the wonderful companions that could be available in your local shelter or rescue.”
The Brandywine Valley SPCA has four dogs in the Puppy Bowl.
“The lead candidate to win is probably going to be Jalen Hurts’ namesake, Tailen Hurts,’ said Torelli. “Tailen is a cruelty survivor and a super-cute merle puppy.”
Torelli also said Brandywine Valley is represented by Tia who was saved from an overcrowded shelter, Daisy who was born to a stray pregnant mother, and Ireland who is a survivor of parvovirus, an often-fatal condition.
Besides the major cute factor, the animals are ambassadors of sorts.
“We are really excited about the Puppy Bowl bringing out the message of rescue [animals], but also representing all the different ways that animals come into our care,” said Torelli.
11 kittens from the BVSPCA will also be featured in the show.
Several other Pennsylvania and New Jersey animal rescue organizations will be represented:
- Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue, which operates in Lancaster.
- Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue in Perkasie.
- Match Dog Rescue in Atco.
- Providence Animal Center in Media.
- Second Chances Rescue in Philadelphia.
- Wet Nose Rescue in the Somerton section of Philadelphia.