Animal Planet's PUPPY BOWL VIII to Premiere 2/5

Ready for more tail wagging wildness, canine cuteness and animal athleticism than ever witnessed before? On Super Bowl(TM) Sunday, February 5, from 3-5 PM (ET/PT), Animal Planet's annual canine competition returns to the grand gridiron with PUPPY BOWL VIII. For the eighth year in a row, with the help of Petfinder.com, Animal Planet has searched shelters and rescue groups across the nation for the toughest pups ever to carry a chew toy into an end zone and across the goal line. Now, the teams have been selected, paws polished and fur combed for the biggest event in animal sports history.

This year's PEDIGREE(R) Starting Lineup is growling with rowdy rat terriers, defensive dachshunds and charging Chihuahuas, all competing for the title of the BISSELL(R) MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). But the pups will have to warm up to a new face as PUPPY BOWL VIII marks the debut of Dan Schachner, who takes over as "The Ref" - calling all the plays and penalties on the field.

"When Animal Planet first called and told me that I would be working with 58 puppies, 20 cats, five pigs and one bird, I thought this would be the easiest gig of my career," says Dan. "But after calling my first "terrier touchdown," I can see why this is the toughest competition in sports today."

In a game-day first, a piggy pep squad will "ham" it up on the sidelines and squeal with delight for its favorite players while "Meep the Bird" tweets all the fast-paced action. Follow @MeepTheBird on game day for the latest updates, puppy drama and behind-the-scenes moments from inside Animal Planet Stadium. Award-winning animal advocate and television correspondent Jill Rappaport will provide up-to-the-minute sideline analysis and commentary on the game, and fans will be treated to PUPPY BOWL favorites such as the puppy cam, water bowl cam, kiss cam and an aerial view of the field provided by the Ice Breakers(R) Mints blimp and its hamster pilots.

If you're not the biggest Madonna fan, the cute and cuddly kittens have returned with an all-new edition of the BISSELL(R) KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW. These adorable felines will treat fans to kitty gymnastics, precious poses and overall kitten craziness leading up to the confetti shower, sending viewers into cuteness overload.