Hudson Valley Rescue Siblings Make The Cut For Puppy Bowl XXI

WESTCHESTER, NY — Before you watch the Chiefs play for the Lombardi trophy (again), check out a couple of local athletes playing in the other big game.

The cutest sports competition and the original made-for-television call to adoption event, Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl, returns on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m., for the most exciting game to be held in Puppy Bowl history — and a couple of Elmsford pups will be firing up the fans.

This year, the event will be simulcast on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and discovery+.

Paws Crossed Animal Rescue in Elmsford is fielding two very special pups in the friendly competition. The two furry rivals made the final roster for the spectacle that happens to take place on football's biggest day. The Paws Crossed siblings, sister Aloe and brother Ziggy, will go paw to paw with over 140 other puppies from 80 animal shelters/rescues, across 40 states and two countries, to try to take home the "Lombarky" Trophy.

"This will be our sixth year of participating in this wonderful event," Paws Crossed's Julie Potter said. "We cannot wait to celebrate and cheer on our two pups on the football field on February 9. Aloe is representing Team Ruff. Ziggy is representing Team Fluff. What a great day for animal rescue, adoption and advocacy. It doesn't matter which team wins the title; every single pup involved in the Puppy Bowl is a winner."

Aloe and Ziggy’s journey to the Puppy Bowl is a sports story for the age. Part of a litter of seven, the pair's rescue led from an overcrowded shelter in North Carolina to a foster home, to transport partners, and finally to Paws Crossed. The shelter said it took an entire network of compassionate people to give these puppies a second chance.

For more on the history of Paws Crossed, and ways you can adopt, volunteer, foster or donate, visit their website or Facebook page.