Are you ready for some football? Some fluffy, furry, fabulously fun football! One of our favorite events of the season is back this year in a virtual format. The Austin Humane Society’s beloved Puppy Bowl, presented by Heritage Ranch by H-E-B, celebrates its 14th year on Saturday, February 6! While we can’t enjoy in-person puppy cuddles at this point in time, we can participate in variety of new ways to enjoy all of that adorable action.

Here’s how you can enjoy all the cuteness:

— Follow the Free Fun on Facebook:  Starting at 9 a.m. on February 6, you can visit the Austin Humane Society’s Facebook page for live updates throughout the morning. Meet the puppies and watch them participate in the most adorable competition of the year – the MVP Races. The main event starts at 11:30 a.m. and includes puppies playing in the big game, a kitty halftime show, a Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and the pups will make their Superbowl predictions.

— Tune in for Trivia: The AHS will be hosting two live virtual trivia events with special guests, awesome prizes, and Puppy Bowl themed questions. Join a session at 10 a.m. for the Pre-Game Trivia or at 4 p.m. for the Trivia Tailgate. Your donation of $15 gets you a ticket to one of the trivia games. Sign up in advance online here.

— Name the Quarterbacks: Do you have a knack for coming up with cute names? You have the opportunity to name the quarterbacks of each team! For just a $5 donation, you can submit your name suggestion online here. A panel of AHS judges will select the winner, and the names will be announced live during the game.

— Pose for Pooch Pics at Yard Bar: After you watch the big game online, you can continue the fun at Yard Bar, an outdoor dog park, restaurant and bar. From 12-4 p.m. on February 6, you can reserve a spot in their special photo football themed booth with a portion of the proceeds going to AHS. Reservations will be available here.

— Go all in as a VIP:  Get the full V.I.P. experience as a “Very Important Puppy-fan”! You can make a $35 donation online here to receive:

  • V.I.P. Swag Bag
  • Commemorative Puppy Bowl T-shirt
  • Free Entry into One Virtual Trivia Event
  • One Free Puppy Naming Entry

Usually, the Puppy Bowl event includes a Tailgate Food Competition, which has been modified into a curbside program this year. Participating restaurants and food trucks are offering selected “Puppy Bowl” menu items. With each purchase, these culinary partners will donate a percentage of sales back to AHS. Learn more about these restaurants here.

We’ve been attending the Puppy Bowl for many years and are delighted to be a sponsor this year! We hope you’ll join in giving AHS some love! Photo by Heidi Okla

Austin Humane Society cares for countless puppies throughout the year and works to connect them with forever families. It’s the city’s oldest No-Kill, non-profit animal adoption shelter dedicated to saving Austin’s homeless cats and dogs. We are delighted to lend a hand as a sponsor for this year’s Puppy Bowl, and we hope you’ll be moved to make a donation or buy a ticket to help fund the great work that this organization does to care so lovingly for animals.

For more information about AHS adoptable animals and programs, please visit AustinHumaneSociety.org or call 512-646-7387.