These very good dogs are representing Pittsburgh in the Puppy Bowl

The Steelers will likely not make it to the Super Bowl this year, but the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl gives Pittsburgh sports fans a way to cheer on some different local athletes. Not only that, locals can support these furry little yinzers by voting to make one of them the “Most Pupular” player.

Four-legged athletes were drafted from rescue groups nationwide to hit the field for Puppy Bowl XXI. The annual event  — airing live Sun., Feb. 9 on Animal Planet — offers dog lovers an adorable alternative to the big game. A press release says that the three-hour television event will feature “142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states — and two countries — as they compete in the cutest competition of the year.”

Those 40 states include Pennsylvania, and it makes sense that a hardcore football town like Pittsburgh has not one, not two, but three pups representing the city.

All three dogs — a Boxer/Pitbull mix named Sully, a Great Pyrenees mix named Mercury, and a Pitbull mix named Franco — come from Paws Across Pittsburgh, a nonprofit, foster-based animal rescue group based in Springdale. The volunteer-run organization provides various services, including transporting and finding vet care for animals in need, sponsoring local spay-and-neuter clinics, running a monthly pantry to help local families feed their pets, and more.

This is the second time Paws Across Pittsburgh has participated in the Puppy Bowl — last year, two of their rescue dogs, Gertie and Margo, were featured in the event.

“Last year, the Puppy Bowl committee reached out to us and invited us to go. We thought it would be a great opportunity for the rescue, so we went!” Jackie Armour, president and founder of Paws Across Pittsburgh, tells Pittsburgh City Paper. “We were excited to get invited back again this past year, so were very happy to return.”

Armour says this year’s dogs have “all been adopted and are living their best lives in their adopted homes.”

Beyond providing an adorable alternative to Super Bowl festivities, the Puppy Bowl sets out to help the participating rescue groups, their adoptable athletes, and other animals in their care. A press release states that the event will highlight each dog’s “inspiring journeys from birth to adoption, as well as the tremendous dedication of the rescues and shelters that help find animals their forever homes.”

“Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl serves as an annual pop culture programming event that continues to expand in reach, awareness and of course, puppies, every year,” said Howard Lee, chief creative officer of U.S. Networks and president of Discovery Networks, adding that the Bowl, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, “will inspire families across the country to adopt a new furry friend.”

In the days leading up to the Puppy Bowl XXI, fans can vote for a dog to receive the distinction of “Most Pupular” player. Voting began on Jan. 10 and will continue through Thu., Feb. 6, with daily chances to show support for your favorite pooch.

Paws Across Pittsburgh will also host a Puppy Bowl Celebration Pawty on Sun., Feb. 16 at the Brackenridge American Legion, which includes BINGO, raffles, and chances to meet this year’s player pups. 

Armour has seen the benefits of participating in the Puppy Bowl and says she hopes her organization gets invited every year.

“Being in the Puppy Bowl brought a lot of attention to our rescue,” she says. “With a lot of attention, our adoptions went up and we did receive more donations! Plus the pups got to go and have fun and be stars!”

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Puppy Bowl XXI. 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 9. Simulcast on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, TruTV, Max, and Discovery+. discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl

Paws Across Pittsburgh Puppy Bowl Celebration Pawty. 1-4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 16. Brackenridge American Legion. 845 E. First Ave., Brackenridge. $20. pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/events

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