The Puppy Bowl is Animal Planet's alternative to the Super Bowl, featuring 66 puppies and a "rufferee" in a mini-stadium set playing with squeaky toys and a kitty-filled halftime. This year's two-hour long Puppy Bowl is the tenth to take place on Animal Planet. Don't worry if you can't catch it the first time it premieres (at 3 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time on February 2) because it's replayed 6 times over the course of Super Bowl Sunday.

12.4 million people watched last year and this year 36 puppies will debut in Puppy Bowl X's starting lineup. Adoption agencies and shelters provided the puppies who are all 12-18 weeks old. A dozen or so puppies will be on the 19x10 feet stadium at one time. About 50 Animal Planet crew members will be working at the Puppy Bowl, which will feature a halftime performance by kittens.

New York actor and TV announcer Dan Schachner, who will be officiating the game, said "I have the best job in the world," to American Profile magazine. "You have to love dogs, but you also have to be fearless. And you can't be afraid to pick up poop." An MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) will be named and history has shown that featured dogs are quickly adopted from their shelters or rescue organizations, succeeding in the fundamental goal of encouraging adoption of shelter animals.

According to Animal Planet, "Puppy Bowl returns for its tenth consecutive year with an all-star, all-adorable cast that's ready to mix it up on the grand gridiron of Animal Planet Stadium. Puppy Bowl X brings viewers a loveable lineup that's itching to play in a winning combination of terrier tackles, touchdowns, puppy penalties, fumbles and Fido first downs."

It also announced that "back for another year is the popular Bissel Kitten Halftime Show, guaranteed to bring the house down! And, sideline reporter "Meep the Bird" will return to tweet live updates throughout the game."

Are you going to be watching? Let us know in the comments section below!