Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2025) – The first, last, and biggest game of the Puppy Bowl playoffs is less than a month away, and two Helen Woodward Animal Center alumni are making the cut for the cutest game on television! Discovery’s 21st Annual Puppy Bowl will air on Sunday, February 9th at 11 a.m. PST on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+. As football fans and puppy fans alike unite to watch the incredible feats of rescue pups near and far, Helen Woodward Animal Center is inviting San Diegans to gather at McGregor’s Bar & Grill in Mission Valley for a Puppy TAILgate to cheer on hometown heroes Callen and Petunia as they take the field in the big game and raise funds for orphan pets.
Puppy Bowl XXI features two teams of the fluffiest and cuddliest “line barkers” and “wide retrievers” as they take to the gridiron for a playful game of terrier touchdowns, puppy penalties and furry fumbles. Hailing from animal rescues and shelters across the country, these fuzzy and adoptable players that make up #TeamRuff and #TeamFluff make no bones about it when it comes to winning the Most Valuable Puppy title, and more importantly – their forever homes.
For the sixth year, Helen Woodward Animal Center is excited to announce that Center alumni will once again play in the Puppy Bowl and represent the Center’s mission of “people helping animals and animals helping people.” Callen is a Dachshund blend with an adorable love of the game, who can play both offense and defense with ease. His hard work in the offseason and goofy personality are sure to win the hearts and minds of the people. The other Center comPAWitor, Petunia, is a terrier blend who brings a PAWsitive attitude to the locker room and shines as a role player – setting up big plays for her teammates. Team Ruff’s fans are sure to fall in love with her cute lil face and team spirit!
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- Callen
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- Petunia
To celebrate Callen and Petunia, Helen Woodward Animal Center is hosting a Puppy TAILgate at McGregor’s Bar & Grill (10475 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego, CA 92108), Sunday, February 9 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Attendees can get ready for football’s Big Game while cheering on Callen and Petunia as they take the GridAWWron. For the first time ever, attendees can take part in a Cornhole ComPAWtition to compete for fabulous prizes from SeaWorld, Sesame Place and Raising Canes! Tailgaters can also chow-down with the big dogs with custom canine-themed menu food and drink specials, including a special dish for your attending pooch. The added treat… 10% of all food and drink sales go directly back to helping pets and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center. The event will be held on the dog-friendly patio, and attendees are encouraged to bring their furry friends with them to enjoy the game. Even Helen Woodward Animal Center orphan pups will be attending to root for their kennel-mates!
For more information on the party or to sign up for the Cornhole ComPETition, click on: https://animalcenter.org/events/puppy-bowl-watch-party/.
Those who cannot attend the Tailgate, can still root for the Helen Woodward Animal Center pups by tuning in. Puppy Bowl, the original and longest running call-to-adoption television event, returns for its 21st year Sunday, February 9 at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET and will be simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+. Be sure to tune-in early because the tail-gating starts with a PUPPY BOWL Pre-Game Show at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET. Viewers are taken behind-the-scenes of the Puppy Bowl draft featuring exclusive interviews with coaches and players. Puppy Bowl fans will also learn more about each of the comPETitors breed blends and their other unique traits.
100% of the puppies and kittens that have participated in PUPPY BOWL have been adopted to loving families.
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, please call (858) 756-4117, or go online at https://animalcenter.org.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
