The puppies will represent the Suncoast Animal League in Puppy Bowl XIV, the Animal Planet’s alternative to the Super Bowl.

PINELLAS COUNTY – Suncoast Animal League says it has two puppy players in this year’s PUPPY BOWL XIV.

The cutest competition in sports history airs at 3 p .m. Feb. 4 on the Animal Planet television network. The competition will see 90 puppies from 48 shelters and rescues across the U.S. compete for the Most Valuable Puppy title. The two local puppies, Kelly Barkson and Henry, will be members of Team Ruff and Team Fluff, which will compete for the Chewy.com Lombarky Trophy.

Both Kelly Barkson and Henry were rescued from Pasco County Animal Services. Kelly Barkson, a golden retriever/Lab mix, was rescued Aug. 2 at just 8 weeks old. Henry, a Catahoula mix, was 6 weeks old when he was rescued July 14. Both puppies have since been adopted.

For the past 13 years, Animal Planet’s PUPPY BOWL has owned the world’s cutest sporting event on television. Every Super Bowl Sunday, two teams of the fluffiest and cuddliest “line barkers and wide retrievers” take to the gridiron for a playful game of terrier touchdown, puppy penalties and furry fumbles. Representing rescues and shelters from across the country, these adoptable four-legged players that make up  #TeamRuff and  #TeamFluff are serious when it comes to winning the Most Valuable Puppy title and more importantly…their furever homes.

Although Kelly Barkson and Henry have been adopted, you can meet them at the Fourth Annual Puppy Bowl Fundraiser to benefit the Suncoast Animal League. The event will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Dog House of Safety Harbor and Eighth Avenue Pub, 737 Main St, Safety Harbor. There will be vendors, drinks, food, shopping and a LIVE Puppy Bowl before the Animal Planet televised special on a big screen TV.

Photo of Kelly Barkson, right, and Henry courtesy of the Suncoast Animal League.

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