Puppy Bowl XXII: Many Puppies Play to Find Homes

Puppy Bowl XXII is happening on February 8, 2026. Many puppies from shelters across the country will play. The event helps people see these dogs and find them good homes. Some puppies have special needs, and older dogs will have their own game.
By Newsroom | Animals, Events |

The annual Puppy Bowl, a long-standing television event dedicated to promoting pet adoption, is set to feature a diverse array of canine athletes. This year, known as Puppy Bowl XXII, will highlight 150 adoptable puppies from 72 shelters and rescue organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands. The event aims to draw attention to the animals' unique stories and increase their chances of finding permanent homes.

The Puppy Bowl is scheduled to air on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Broadcast details indicate availability across Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and discovery+. The main game is slated to commence at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT. An additional Puppy Bowl XXII Kickoff Show is scheduled to begin an hour prior, at 1 p.m. ET. This event serves as a prelude to the Super Bowl LX, which will feature the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots.

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The central theme of Puppy Bowl XXII revolves around the adoption of rescue dogs, emphasizing their resilience and potential as companions.

A Comprehensive Look at Participating Shelters and Organizations

A significant number of shelters and rescue groups are involved in Puppy Bowl XXII, each bringing forward adoptable puppies. The list of participating organizations is extensive, reflecting a nationwide effort to showcase these animals.

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  • Key Organizations Involved:

  • Green Dogs Unleashed (Troy, VA)

  • Florida Little Dog Rescue (St. Cloud, FL)

  • Kentucky Humane Society (Louisville, KY)

  • Arizona Humane Society (Phoenix, AZ)

  • Big Lake Humane Society (Muskegon, MI)

  • Lucky Dog Refuge (Stamford, CT)

  • Dallas Dog (Dallas, TX)

  • Bosley’s Place (Smyrna, GA)

  • Perfect Imperfections Rescue (Watertown, CT)

  • Operation Paws for Homes (Alexandria, VA)

  • Great Dog Rescue New England (Andover, MA)

  • Rescue Dogs Rock NYC (New York, NY)

  • Helen Woodward Animal Center (Rancho Santa Fe, CA)

  • Angel City Pit Bulls (Los Angeles, CA)

  • Humane Society of Missouri (St. Louis, MO)

  • Pets with Disabilities (Prince Frederick, MD)

  • Danbury Animal Welfare Society (Bethel, CT)

  • Phoenix Animal Rescue (Chester Springs, PA)

  • Hope Animal Rescue (Durham, NC)

  • Humane Society of the British Virgin Islands / BARRK LI (Tortola, BVI)

  • Brandywine Valley SPCA (West Chester, PA)

  • Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (Westbrook, ME)

  • Oklahoma Humane Society (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

  • Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue (Ridgefield, Conn.)

  • Underdog Pet Rescue (Madison, Wis.)

  • AHeinz57 Pet Rescue (De Soto, Iowa)

  • Seattle Humane Society (Seattle, Wash.)

  • Barker Playfield

  • Helping Hounds Rescue (North Syracuse, N.Y.)

  • Compassion Kind (St. Petersburg, Fla.)

  • NAGI Foundation (Phoenix, Ariz.)

  • Renee's Rescue (Hockessin, Del.)

  • SATO Project (New York and Puerto Rico)

  • Five Acres Animal Shelter (St. Charles, Mo.)

  • Best Friends Animal Society (New York, N.Y.)

  • Hearts & Bones Rescue (Dallas, Tex.)

  • Nickel City Canine Rescue (Lancaster, N.Y.)

  • Paws Across Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

  • SPCA of Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo, Mich.)

  • Humane Society of Greater Dayton (Dayton, Ohio)

  • Providence Animal Center (Media, Pa.)

  • Double J Dog Ranch (Hauser, Idaho)

  • Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue (New York, N.Y.)

  • Homeward Bound (Mishawaka, Ind.)

  • Animal Welfare Association (Vorhees, N.J.)

  • San Francisco SPCA (San Francisco, Calif.)

  • spcaLA (Los Angeles, Calif.)

  • Sacramento SPCA (Sacramento, Calif.)

  • Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue (Buffalo, N.Y.)

  • Harley's Haven (Perkasie, Pa.)

  • Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (Kansas City, Kan.)

  • Animal Friends (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

  • Ninna's Road to Rescue (Haughton, La.)

  • Humane Society Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.)

  • Ziva Dog Rescue (Chatham, N.J.)

  • SPCA Westchester (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.)

  • Connecticut Humane Society (Newington, Conn.)

  • Almost There Rescue (Phoenix, Ariz.)

  • Humane Society of Pikes Peak Region (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

  • Southside SPCA (Meherrin, Va.)

  • One Tail at a Time (Chicago, Ill.)

  • Barky Pines Animal Rescue (Loxahatchee, Fla.)

  • Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (Harrisburg, Pa.)

  • Muddy Paws (New York, N.Y.)

  • Nevada SPCA (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Spotlight on Special Needs and Senior Animals

A significant aspect of Puppy Bowl XXII is the increased focus on animals with special needs and senior dogs. This initiative aims to counter potential stigma associated with these categories of adoptable pets.

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  • Special Needs Participants: Approximately 15 dogs with special needs are slated to participate. These include conditions such as deafness, blindness, missing limbs (tripod dogs), and heart conditions. For example, Wynonna, a three-legged pup, and Eleanor, who is both deaf and vision-impaired, are among those being highlighted.

  • Senior Dog Exhibition: For the first time in the event's history, senior dogs will compete in their own exhibition game. This segment, titled "Pro-Dog Halftime Showdown," will feature two teams: "Team Oldies" and "Team Goldies." This move intends to underscore that older dogs also make excellent companions and are worthy of adoption.

The Role of Puppy Sphere and Adoption Initiatives

Beyond the televised event, various partnerships are in place to further promote adoption and engage the public.

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  • Rescue Puppy Yoga: The organization Puppy Sphere collaborates with Animal Planet to host "Rescue Puppy Yoga" sessions in select cities across North America. These events provide opportunities for the public to interact directly with adoptable puppies from local rescue organizations.

  • Adoption Availability: It is confirmed that all participating dogs are available for adoption. Shelters typically provide information about their featured Puppy Bowl representatives and other adoptable animals on their respective websites. The core message conveyed is that dogs with disabilities can adapt and thrive, making them wonderful pets.

Broadcast Details and Viewing Information

Puppy Bowl XXII will be accessible across multiple platforms, ensuring a wide audience can tune in.

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  • Channels: Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV.

  • Streaming: Discovery+, HBO Max, and Fubo.

  • Timing: The main event begins at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, February 8, 2026. A kickoff show will air an hour earlier.

  • Duration: The broadcast is structured as a three-hour program.

The event's broadcast strategy across multiple channels and streaming services indicates a concerted effort to maximize reach and engagement for the adoption cause.

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Expert Perspectives on Animal Welfare and Media Representation

The Puppy Bowl's emphasis on adoption and special needs animals has garnered attention for its positive impact on animal welfare advocacy.

"Puppy Bowl XXII celebrates the spirit of the underdog, with a gameday celebration that combines the excitement of a sports matchup with uplifting adoption stories." - Joseph Boyle, Discovery Channel’s Head of Content.

This statement underscores the event's dual purpose: entertainment and advocacy. By framing the competition as a celebration of "underdogs," the event aims to foster empathy and encourage viewers to consider adopting animals that might otherwise be overlooked. The inclusion of special needs and senior dogs directly addresses common barriers to adoption, such as age or physical limitations.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Approach to Canine Adoption

Puppy Bowl XXII presents a carefully orchestrated event designed to achieve significant adoption outcomes. By combining a widely accessible broadcast with focused narratives on individual dogs, including those with special needs and senior animals, the event aims to broaden the appeal of rescue pets. The partnerships with organizations like Puppy Sphere extend the initiative beyond the television screen, creating direct engagement opportunities. The sustained presence of the Puppy Bowl in popular culture signifies its effectiveness as a platform for promoting animal adoption and raising awareness about the capabilities and companionship offered by rescue dogs. The involvement of numerous shelters underscores the collective commitment to finding homes for these animals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is Puppy Bowl XXII?
Puppy Bowl XXII will be on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Q: How many puppies are in the Puppy Bowl?
There will be 150 puppies from many shelters.
Q: Are the puppies available for adoption?
Yes, all the puppies in the Puppy Bowl are looking for homes.
Q: Will there be older dogs?
Yes, for the first time, senior dogs will have their own game during the halftime show.