If you’re keen on puppies and wish to get into the spirit of the Super Bowl, prepare for the annual Puppy Bowl XX.
The premise is easy: a bunch of cute puppies in each breed and measurement from across the nation compete in a enjoyable, entertaining showdown on a small soccer area. Animal Planet’s three-hour Puppy Bowl, begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.
And from Connecticut, a member of Team Ruff is Greyson, an Australian shepherd who comes from Pack Leaders Rescue of CT, a nonprofit rescue in East Hartford that’s devoted to serving to abused, deserted, or uncared for dogs and cats get out of kill shelters and into loving properties.
“This is our sixth year participating. It’s awesome,” stated Victoria Cateni of Pack Leaders. “Greyson is so cute and he loves to be active and play. His breed is known for being very smart.”
Greyson was rescued from Arkansas.
“He was in a box with his four other siblings and dumped at Walmart. A rescue partner down there called us and we brought them here to find their forever home,” Cateni stated.
Cateni stated she turned a volunteer for an area rescue after rescuing a blind canine.
“At the time, I had no idea about the rescue world or the need of rescue dogs,” she stated.
After studying extra about rescuing and wanting to assist animals in want, she opened her home as a protected haven for dogs and cats in want, each native and out of state, she stated.
Fast ahead 12 years later and Cateni helped to open a facility in East Hartford, developed a foster program, and cultivated a relationship with contacts down south who wanted an outlet for stray animals — and she or he started a transport service.
Victoria Cateni
From Connecticut to the Puppy Bowl, a member of Team Ruff is Greyson, an Australian shepherd who comes from Pack Leaders Rescue of CT, a nonprofit rescue in East Hartford. Greyson is a part of the workforce together with his proprietor, Victoria Cateni of Pack Leaders. Contributed.
“It’s been awesome. Our mission at Pack Leaders is to save the lives of dogs and cats both locally, and from the South, that have been abandoned, abused, or neglected, and to give them a forever home,” she stated.
“We have so many people looking for dogs and there are so many amazing rescues out there,” stated Cateni, who has 5 rescue dogs.
To date, the rescue has saved over 6,500 animals, she stated.
Pack Leaders Rescue affords rescue, transport service, and behavioral coaching.
“We travel every week to rescue animals from Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana. There’s a massive need down there. Most times it’s between 50 to 100 animals, both cats and dogs,” stated Cateni.
The rescue makes use of their very own transport RV that gives a protected, clear surroundings with an on-site animal attendant. It additionally takes in native proprietor surrenders and works with animal management officers within the space.
Cateni stated she appreciates the mission of the Puppy Bowl.
“It brings awareness to the importance of rescuing a dog and puts rescuing on the map so more people will consider it if they’re looking to add a dog to the family,” stated Cateni. “We get an influx once people see the Puppy Bowl.”
According to Animal Planet, each puppy featured on prior Puppy Bowls has discovered a home since its first present in 2005.
The East Hartford’s rescue’s veterinarians and behaviorists consider every animal to verify they’re prepared for his or her new home. Basic puppy coaching lessons and behavioral coaching are also available.
“We support the adopters and foster parents. Socializing a dog takes time. We’re here to help you,” Cateni stated.
In addition to Pack Leaders Rescue, members in Puppy Bowl embody American Lab Rescue, Connecticut Rescue, Connecticut Humane Society, Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Dog Star Rescue, Lucky Dog Refuge, and Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue.
Throughout the Puppy Bowl present followers will study every participant’s breed combine and different distinctive traits; “Pup Close and Personal” and “Adoptable Pup” segments; and adoption tales that spotlight the work of rescues and shelters, in response to Warner Bros. Discovery.
Thirteen puppies, members of Team Ruff and Team Fluff, comprise the beginning line-up. The present incorporates a participant tunnel, fog machine, a water bowl and slo-mo cam, and different actions. It additionally consists of play-by-play commentary and a referee calling penalties and touchdowns. It airs on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, truTV, discovery +, and Max.
According to Warner Bros. Discovery, the matchup would be the greatest but, that includes 131 pups and 73 shelters and rescues throughout 36 states and territories.
Although Greyson is already adopted, Cateni encourages folks to go to the web site at packleadersrescue.com to see extra adoptable dogs. The rescue is companions with PetSmart in Manchester and each Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. holds adoption occasions at its 1520 Pleasant Valley Road location. Those concerned about a canine on the present can go to AnimalPlanet.com to view the canine’s profile and be linked to the shelter or rescue heart from the place it originates.
“Rescuing is important. There are so many amazing rescues out there,” stated Cateni. “As long as people rescue and save the animals, that’s most important.”
