Eight Central Florida shelter puppies featured in 2017 Puppy Bowl

Florida shelter puppies will be on the starting line-up

ST. CLOUD, Fla. – We know you’re thinking, the Super Bowl is just around the corner and that means the time is near for the annual Puppy Bowl.

The biggest and cutest game of the year will be airing on Feb. 5 on Animal Planet, featuring a variety of new players and some local stars as well.

Every year, the player roster and all animals featured are adoptable pets. There will be 78 puppies from 34 pet rescues participating in the fun.

[Puppy Bowl star Puddles stopped by the News 6 studio, watch the video from her visit above.]

This year, eight of the players from the 28 starting line-up puppies will be from our very own Florida Little Dog Rescue Group in St. Cloud.

The puppies that will be in the game will include Alexander Hamilpup, Puddles, Oliver, Rory, Nikita, Smooshie, Buttons, and Parfait, and four backup players: Mariah, Hiro, ChocoPuff and Kizmet. Some of the players will be participating in some extra specials as well.

Puddles and Smooshie will be on Team Ruff and the other six pups will be on Team Fluff.

Throughout the years, many of the puppies featured on the game get adopted soon after. Animal Planet makes it possible for viewers to get in contact with the local shelters to adopt the animals shown on the Puppy Bowl.

[See the local Puppy Bowl lineup below.]

If you’re thinking about adopting a pet through Florida Little Dog Rescue, you must fill out an adoption application in person or online. If you are approved to adopt a dog, an adoption contract must be filled out as well as giving an adoption donation in order for the dog to leave for its new home.

Florida Little Dog Rescue will be holding a watch party for the Big Game at 3 p.m., however, the location has not yet been announced.

Scroll down to see all the local pups in this year's Puppy Bowl.