Puppy Bowl XVII is scheduled to air on February 7, 2021 at 2 p.m. EST on Animal Planet, and will feature 70 adoptable puppies from 22 animal shelters across the Northeastern U.S. Due to the pandemic and production shutdowns in Hollywood, Calif., this year’s Puppy Bowl takes place in a real hockey arena, located in Glen Falls, New York, according to USA Today.
With COVID-19 changing the course of life across the globe, the entertainment industry has had to come up with different ways of filming. Adhering to pandemic protocol, Puppy Bowl XVII will have fewer dogs competing to keep the number of people on-set to a minimum. So this year’s puppy stars will play on a huge field in a real sporting venue.
Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg
Photo Courtesy: Discovery
Hosted by Martha Stewart, representing Team Ruff, and Snoop Dogg, representing Team Fluff, Puppy Bowl XVII also brings you ESPN’s Steve Levy, of Monday Night Football, and Sage Steele, of SportsCenter, as this year’s announcers. In attendance to referee are Jill Rappaport, an animal advocate and television correspondent, and Dan Schachner. Schachner has been “ruffing” for the Puppy Bowl for a decade now and cheers the continuation of the furry tradition.
“Dogs really are the silver lining of this crazy year,” said Schachner, longtime referee, according to USA Today. “Adoptions have seen a huge uptick in shelters across the country. They can’t keep up with demand.”
The Puppy Bowl currently boasts a 100-percent adoption rate for every year since the Puppy Bowl began. All of the puppies and kittens that have been showcased during the now-infamous game have found their forever homes.
This year, Team Ruff, sporting orange bandanas, takes on last year’s winners, Team Fluff, sporting blue bandanas, to bring viewers three hours of fluffy tackles, silly steals, and the cutest touchdowns. Unlike other years, Puppy Bowl XVII brings you an additional hour of fun to feature other highlights, such as adoption and alumni stories. And of course, there is still kitty half-time, featuring senior rescue cat DJ Grand Master Scratch.
Stream the Puppy Bowl on Discovery+, and enjoy other exclusive dog shows, such as The Dog Games, which airs on February 6, and is hosted by Kym Whitley. Puppy Bowl Nation is also scheduled for streaming on February 6, and features past Puppy Bowl competitors and how they’re doing in their new homes. Best In Show is slated for February 7, so viewers can see how past Puppy Bowl favorites are doing.
Stitch, Team Ruff
Photo Courtesy: Elias Weiss Friedman / Discovery
A few of the 2021 puppies playing in Puppy Bowl XVII include Stitch, a puppy from the Rutland County Humane Society, or RCHS, based out of Pittsford, VT. Stitch arrived in Vermont in August and is now part of Team Ruff.
Animal Planet contacted RCHS and treated Stitch to a puptastic stay at The Wilburton Inn, located in Manchester, VT before the show was recorded in NY, according to the Burlington Free Press. As a result of Stitch’s playful personality, he was quickly adopted by the innkeeper’s brother and now lives happily on a 200-acre farm in Manchester.
Marshall, Team Fluff
Photo Courtesy: Elias Weiss Friedman / Discovery
Representing both Team Ruff and Team Fluff, five special needs puppies from Green Dogs Unleashed, located in Troy, Virginia, are participating in this year’s Puppy Bowl. Marshall, Hank, Chunky Monkey, Fletcher, and Theodore were chosen to play the big game. Marshall, a deaf puppy, even made it to the final bracket of the Pupularity Playoffs. All five puppies have been adopted. Green Dogs Unleashed rescues, rehabilitates, and professionally trains therapy dogs.
Jett, Team Fluff
Photo Courtesy: Elias Weiss Friedman / Discovery
Another special needs pup, Jett, is featured on Team Fluff, and comes from Pets With Disabilities, out of Prince Frederick, Maryland. Jett, who was the runt of the litter, was born without front legs and has been outfitted with a custom-made wheelchair. Pets With Disabilities provides shelter and special vetting for pets with physical disabilities. Jett resides with the owners.
Watch the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, or stream it via Discovery+. Interact with other viewers by tweeting to Meep The Bird during the game, and vote for Most Valuable Puppy. The results for MVP will be announced at the end of the show.
Available now, enjoy Pup Close and Personal – a compilation of interviews and appearances from celebrities such as Kristen Bell, Valerie Bertinelli, and Duff Goldman. Also making appearances are NFL stars Ronnie Stanley, Chris Godwin, and Ryan Kerrigan. Godwin, where Stanley and Kerrigan share their adoption stories.
Featured Photo Courtesy: Discovery
