Animal shelters are real winners of 'Puppy Bowl'

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Keith Barraclough

Animal Planet

This undated publicity photo provided by Animal Planet shows dogs playing on the field during "Puppy Bowl IX," in New York. The “Puppy Bowl,” an annual two-hour TV special that mimics a football game with canine players, made its debut eight years ago on The Animal Planet. Dogs score touchdowns on a 10-by-19-foot gridiron carpet when they cross the goal line with a toy. (AP Photo/Animal Planet, Keith Barraclough)

Keith Barraclough

Animal Planet

This undated publicity photo provided by Animal Planet shows the Kitty half time show during "Puppy Bowl IX," in New York. The “Puppy Bowl,” an annual two-hour TV special that mimics a football game with canine players, made its debut eight years ago on The Animal Planet. The show provides national exposure to the shelters across the country that provide the puppy athletes and the kittens that star in the halftime show, and introduces viewers to the different breeds and animals that need homes, animal workers say. (AP Photo/Animal Planet, Keith Barraclough)

Keith Barraclough

Animal Planet

This undated publicity photo provided by Animal Planet shows the Kitty half time show during "Puppy Bowl IX," in New York. The “Puppy Bowl,” an annual two-hour TV special that mimics a football game with canine players, made its debut eight years ago on The Animal Planet. The show provides national exposure to the shelters across the country that provide the puppy athletes and the kittens that star in the halftime show, and introduces viewers to the different breeds and animals that need homes, animal workers say. (AP Photo/Animal Planet, Keith Barraclough)

Keith Barraclough

Animal Planet

This undated publicity photo provided by Animal Planet shows dogs playing on the field during "Puppy Bowl IX," in New York. The “Puppy Bowl,” an annual two-hour TV special that mimics a football game with canine players, made its debut eight years ago on The Animal Planet. Dogs score touchdowns on a 10-by-19-foot gridiron carpet when they cross the goal line with a toy. (AP Photo/Animal Planet, Keith Barraclough)

Kimberly Holcombe

Animal Planet

This undated publicity photo provided by Animal Planet shows a dog, Fumble, during the kitty half-time show for "Puppy Bowl VIII," in New York. The “Puppy Bowl,” an annual two-hour TV special that mimics a football game with canine players, made its debut eight years ago on The Animal Planet. Fumble, the spcaLA's entry in “Puppy Bowl VIII," earned the game's Most Valuable Pup crown. (AP Photo/Animal Planet, Kimberly Holcombe)

Kimberly Holcombe

Animal Planet

This undated publicity photo provided by Animal Planet shows a dog, Fumble, during "Puppy Bowl VIII," in New York. The “Puppy Bowl,” an annual two-hour TV special that mimics a football game with canine players, made its debut eight years ago on The Animal Planet. Fumble, the spcaLA's entry in “Puppy Bowl VIII," earned the game's Most Valuable Pup crown. (AP Photo/Animal Planet, Kimberly Holcombe)

Mary Altaffer

Michael Wright

In this Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 photo, Michael Wright and his dog Toby pose for a portrait in New York. Toby, previously named Fumble, last year's Animal Planets' "Puppy Bowl" MVP winner, was adopted before the show aired. Wright said he found out about Fumble's participation toward the end of the adoption process, and plans to watch this year's show to catch any flashbacks of last year's MVP playing his heart out. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Mary Altaffer

Pets-Puppy Bowl

In this Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 photo, Toby who was rescued from a shelter by Michael Wright is seen in New York. Toby, previously named Fumble, last year's Animal Planets' "Puppy Bowl" MVP winner, was adopted before the show aired. Wright, said he found out about Fumble's participation toward the end of the adoption process, and plans to watch this year's show to catch any flashbacks of last year's MVP playing his heart out. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Mary Altaffer

Michael Wright

In this Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 photo, Michael Wright and his dog Toby (formerly called Fumble) pose for a portrait in New York. “Puppy Bowl,” an annual two-hour TV special that mimics a football game with canine players, made its debut eight years ago on The Animal Planet. "It raises awareness for our shelter and others that take part," said Madeline Bernstein, president and CEO of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles. “A lot of people have come in during the last year and said, 'I want a dog just like Fumble,'” she said, referring to spcaLA's entry in “Puppy Bowl VIII” who earned the game's Most Valuable Pup crown. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)