Puppy Bowl 2012: Video Highlights From Game Day

Humans aren't the only ones playing football this Sunday. Puppies were getting in on the action, too. Animal Planet's 8th annual Puppy Bowl took place over the weekend and in this game, everyone came out a winner.

According to Puppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner, "the rules are a little looser than your regular NFL game."

Puppies weren't alone in the Animal Planet Stadium. This year also featured a kitten half time show, a tweeting bird and a pig pep squad.

The puppies and kittens participating in Puppy Bowl come from shelters listed on the Animal Planet website. The Humane Society estimates that about 4 million dogs and cats without a home are euthanized each year in the U.S. alone. If you want to adopt an animal in need, visit Petfinder.com or the ASPCA website to learn more.

Check out the adorable Animal Planet videos below from 2012's Puppy Bowl VIII:

Comments

[Felicia Hunter]

05:30 PM on 02/08/2012

The pitbull mixes were by far the cutest on the show

[LangstonA]

06:15 PM on 02/07/2012

Too much cuteness.

[BMcCue7]

03:17 PM on 02/07/2012

FAR more entertaining than the SuperBowl.

[rosiebag]

11:26 AM on 02/07/2012

It was great,but there were more bitches at the superbowl.

[jfjharrisontq]

07:54 PM on 02/06/2012

loved watching but cant get one because i'd die if it got sick and had put it down.

[mass maritimer]

11:17 AM on 02/07/2012

Never let the pain of losing a dog prevent you from having one. Yes, we outlive them and it's heartbreaking but your attitude is terribly selfish and does absolutely nothing to help dogs.

Go adopt a dog.

[elizabethwhite]

05:36 AM on 02/08/2012

Dogs (and cats, and even people) get sick and die every day, even if you pretend not to see them. It would be more painful for me if I had to keep living, knowing that I am not doing anything to help any dogs or anybody just because I want to protect my fragile heart. No relationships, be it with dogs or humans, will ever come without a risk of losing them and being hurt. Only when you take the risk to love, you will enjoy the greatness of it. Have a great life! ;-) (Some part of me feels you didn't really mean it. Sorry about too much seriousness if that's the case lol)

[O K Ali]

04:24 PM on 02/06/2012

No flags for unnecessary pooping on the field?

[M4dwoman]

07:52 PM on 02/06/2012

He was penalized.

[rosiebag]

11:26 AM on 02/07/2012

Maddona got away with it.

[bcmom]

04:07 PM on 02/06/2012

Please adopt from your local shelter.

[fifiwereking]

03:48 PM on 02/06/2012

Aberdeen was Robbed!! Hope he gets adopted by someone named Manning.....

[doubtfull]

02:15 PM on 02/06/2012

Dogs are the best people in the world.

[rbspickles]

01:56 PM on 02/06/2012

I wuv widdle puppies!!

[catbyte]

01:53 PM on 02/06/2012

I watch this every year instead of the Superbowl. It's WAY more entertaining and I really like the fact that all the puppies and kittens were up for adoption this year--except for Anthony, the black & white puppy. I think he has been adopted already. The confetti at the end of the Half-Time Kitten Extravaganza never ceases to baffle the little kittehs! :)

[whatsurbrain4]

02:16 PM on 02/06/2012

I'm with you! As soon as Animal Planet started playing it yesterday that's where my tv channel stayed all day!

[M4dwoman]

07:54 PM on 02/06/2012

Unfortunately, I live with a patriots fan, so I had to listen to the game and the halftime show.
But, I notice that kitten halftime ended right before the super bowl halftime.
Goodness, all those adorable tabbies!

[masola81]

01:33 PM on 02/06/2012

Yay! I love the Puppy Bowl!

[mskittykat1326]

01:24 PM on 02/06/2012

Hooray for the puppy bowl! I was loving the Ham-Cam!

[ZsaZsa]

01:15 PM on 02/06/2012

The Puppy Bowl is appointment TV every year. And with the Westminster Dog Show coming up next week, it really whets the appetite!

[Michaela19801]

12:59 PM on 02/06/2012

So cute !

My kids love this... and yes they are begging for a puppy.

2 cats, 2 hamsters, and a parakeet.