Yes, you can adopt Puppy Bowl dogs—but there are a few twists in how it actually works and how early you need to move.

Quick Scoop: Can You Adopt Puppy Bowl Dogs?

  • All the puppies in the Puppy Bowl come from shelters and rescues, and they are adoptable.
  • Many of them are actually adopted before the TV broadcast, because the game is filmed weeks or months in advance.
  • If “your” favorite pup is already taken, the same shelter usually has littermates or very similar dogs you can adopt instead.

In other words: yes, you can adopt Puppy Bowl dogs—but you’re really adopting from the Puppy Bowl shelters, not “claiming” a dog live on TV.

How It Really Works (Step by Step)

  1. Find the Puppy Bowl lineup and shelters
    • Each puppy is listed with the name of the shelter or rescue that provided them.
 * Those shelters are scattered all over the United States, with both local and out‑of‑state adopters often welcome depending on travel rules.
  1. Check if the puppy is still available
    • Because the show is pre‑recorded, a lot of the “players” have already been adopted by the time you see them on TV.
 * Popular or distinctive breeds (like doodles or tiny toy mixes) usually go the fastest, sometimes right after filming.
  1. Apply through the shelter (not the TV network)
    • You don’t adopt through Animal Planet; you apply directly to the rescue listed on the puppy’s profile.
 * Most shelters use a standard dog adoption process: application, references, vet checks, and sometimes a home visit.
  1. Go through the full adoption process
    Typical requirements include:
 * Detailed application about your home, schedule, other pets, and experience
 * Proof you are allowed to have pets (lease or mortgage, landlord OK)
 * Vet references from past or current pets
 * Personal references and sometimes employment or income verification
 * A meet‑and‑greet and/or home visit before final approval
  1. Pay adoption fees and bring them home
    • Adoption fees for Puppy Bowl pups are usually in the same range as other rescue dogs, often around a few hundred dollars, covering vaccines, spay/neuter, and microchipping.
 * Once you’re approved, you sign the papers, pay the fee, and arrange pickup or transport.

Important “Twists” People Don’t Realize

  • Filmed months early
    The Puppy Bowl is filmed well before Super Bowl Sunday, which gives lots of time for those puppies to be adopted before the broadcast.
  • You may fall in love with a dog who’s already adopted
    Articles and first‑person stories describe people calling as soon as they see a dog on screen, only to find that dog has already gone home.
  • Shelters will often match you with a similar dog
    Because these rescues specialize in certain types of dogs or litters, they can usually suggest another puppy with similar age, size, or personality.
  • High demand means you should act early
    Guides for recent Puppy Bowls tell potential adopters to:
* Check lineups and rescue lists _before_ game day
* Apply to multiple participating shelters at once
* Have documents and references ready so your application processes fast

Mini Guide: Best Strategy If You Want a Puppy Bowl Dog

  • Watch for lineup announcements and shelter lists in January before the game.
  • Make a short list of pups or shelters you like and read their adoption policies online.
  • Prepare your “paperwork” early: proof of housing, vet records, and references.
  • Submit applications to several rescues, not just one, because competition is intense.
  • If your dream pup is gone, ask the shelter about siblings or similar dogs; many people still end up with a perfect match this way.

Quick FAQ

Can I adopt a Puppy Bowl dog on the spot during the broadcast?
No—there’s no live call‑in adoption; it all happens through individual shelters, often before the show airs.

Are all Puppy Bowl dogs guaranteed to be adoptable?
They all start as adoptable shelter dogs, but by the time you see them, many already have homes.

Is it still worth trying if “my” dog is taken?
Yes. Shelters often have littermates or look‑alike pups, and adoption guides stress that every application helps a rescue dog, even if it’s not the TV star you saw.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.