Superbowl(TM) Sunday’s best gridiron battle no longer takes place between sweaty men in pads and helmets; it’s puppies unleashed! Animal Planet’s PUPPY BOWL III, premieres on Sunday, February 4, from 3-6 PM (ET/PT). Get in the game with tackles, fumbles and fouls from playful pups that just can’t get enough of the action. Frolicking kittens return for an all-new edition of the BISSELL KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW.

These pups know that no football game is complete without a stellar game bash. This year, Animal Planet introduces the all-new TAILGATE PARTY — where perfectly poised pups sit and cheer for their favorite players to come out on top. Join Choop the Chihuahua, T-Rex the Poodle and Jake the Jack Russell Terrier as they watch the big plays from game day’s hottest tailgate party. Things may get a little “ruff” on screen, but these adorable spectators don’t seem to mind as they root on the players.

PUPPY BOWL III cameras catch all of the rig-”grr”-ous action of the puppies as they pounce and play with one another in their brand new stadium. With instant replays, the popular water bowl cam and flags for “puppy penalties,” viewers can decide which pup is their favorite. As in previous years, viewers have the chance to choose the game’s MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) by logging on to http://www.animalplanet.com/. Animal Planet will tally the vote and announce the winner after the game.

Many of the charming canines featured in PUPPY BOWL III come from the Washington (D.C.) Animal Rescue League and other local shelters where countless animals wait to find good homes. While on the website, Animal Planet will direct viewers to its sister service, PETFINDER.COM, the best resource for finding adoptable pets. Here, interested viewers can obtain more information about adopting a pet in their own community.

For all the feline fans, the BISSELL KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW is back for round two! The frisky felines strut their stuff on a glittery stage and chase each other around the field. Prince’s performance has nothing on these tiny tabbies and cuddly calicos, which proves that batting around a ball of yarn is all the entertainment you need. It’s the pick of the litter for halftime shows!

PUPPY BOWL III, the BISSELL KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW and the TAILGATE PARTY are productions of the Discovery Production Group. For Animal Planet, Margo Kent is the executive producer. Animal-friendly companies such as Bissell Homecare, Inc., Pedigree and Subaru are sponsoring the special.