By Meredeth Barzen

“THIS JUST IN: Tens of thousands around the Twin Cities metro area were reduced to uncontrollable fits of hugging after the Internet release of the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl’s full-length footage.”

Don’t be surprised if you see that headline flit across the Star Tribune’s front page this week—the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl is coming, and trust us: It’s going to be huge. Hugely endearing, that is.

Clarence of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue takes a time out.

It all started when Lisa Weikle, general manager of Fetch Delivers, was struck with inspiration—to team up with Sidewalk Dog, Sarah Beth Photography and Pampered Pooch Playground, creating a Fantastic Four-style super-squad with only one purpose: put a bunch of puppies in a room and film the inevitable explosion of cuteness that ensues. “I wanted to bring these four groups together, since I know we share the same passion for animal rescue,” Lisa said.

Okay, so we copied Animal Planet’s idea.

But what makes the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl different is that the star players are from local rescue groups like Safe Hands Rescue, Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, Secondhand Hounds, All Dog Rescue, Minnesota Boxer Rescue, Pet Project Rescue, Rice County Humane Society and Minnesota Pit Bull Rescue.

“It’s great exposure for a new rescue like Secondhand Hounds,” said the group’s founder, Rachel Mairose. “It shows that there’s a need for adoptive parents out there, and there are always puppies available for adoption.” She added, “Who doesn’t like cute puppies?” Answer: no one we want to associate with, that’s for sure.

Check out each pup's personal trading card, designed by Sarah Beth Photography.

“We all have a vested interest in making sure these guys get placed with good families,” said Suzanne Grindle of Safe Hands, a 3-year-old rescue that gets many of its puppies from the high-kill Harlan County Animal Shelter in Kentucky. Some TC Puppy Bowl players came from as far away as Mexico, like Pete from Pet Project Rescue, which works with a Mexican shelter to place puppies and encourage spay/neuter initiatives.

And so, last Saturday, Pampered Pooch Playground was filled to the gills with adorable rescue puppies, pouncing and frolicking and donning adorable, hastily-knitted (but unfortunately, not prescient) Vikings sweaters.

Molly Feeney of Just Paws Puppy Training (shown here with Aldo—not a TC Puppy Bowl player, but a football fan nonetheless) played ref.

Molly Feeney of Just Paws Puppy Training put on her referee shirt to make some tough calls, Clyde’s K9 Cuisine (formerly Well Pet Foods) whipped up some special football treats to re-energize the noble athletes, and The Dog Perk outfitted players in jersey bandanas. Stunt Puppy, Topline Canine, ScoopyPoo and DoodyCalls also helped the day go off without a hitch, and the pups (and people) went home tired and happy.

Pete runs the controversial somersault play.

The result debuts this week on TC Puppy Bowl’s Web site and Facebook page, complete with insightful commentary from Tom Scott and George Scot McKelvey. You can also catch it on Super Bowl Sunday before the big game at “the official veterinary clinic of the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl”—Pet Crossing Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic, which is throwing a big dog-friendly fundraising shindig complete with food, activities, a silent auction, and a screening of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VI. Proceeds from the bash benefit the clinic’s Pet Protection Program for Cornerstone Women’s Shelter, and Sidewalk Dog readers get $5 off if they RSVP by Feb. 4th.

When you watch it for the first time, you may want to don protective headgear—you’ll be hit square in the face with fuzziness, after all. Until then, here’s a teaser to tide you over until the big day!

By Meredeth Barzen

These days, with the economy in the doggy potty, many pet owners are conflicted because they want to provide good care for their dogs, but can’t afford basic vet services like spaying and neutering. That’s where MN SNAP comes in.

The Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MN SNAP) provides low-cost spaying and neutering to animals from rescues, shelters and low-income families. The organization’s framework was set in place by Dr. Kim Culbertson, a local veterinarian, and is relying mostly on word-of-mouth right now to raise awareness of its services and the growing problem of pet overpopulation.

“Shelters and rescues are trying to do their part [to reduce pet overpopulation] by ensuring that most or all of their animals are sterilized prior to adoption,” says MN SNAP’s Jennifer Allen. “Many pet owners, especially in urban and rural areas, cannot afford spay/neuter surgery, do not have access to a veterinary clinic, or do not understand the consequences of unchecked reproduction by their sexually intact pets. Most rescues operate on a very lean budget and are burdened by the costs associated with spay and neuter, thus limiting the number of animals they can save. Affordable and accessible spay/neuter services are essential to stopping the flow of puppies and kittens being born into a world that won’t or can’t take care of them.”

Dr. Kim Culbertson, MN SNAP's veterinarian

As the only mobile spay/neuter clinic in Minnesota that specifically targets low-income households, MN SNAP has “been showered with an outpouring of support from the community,” Allen says. The young organization has worked with and served groups like Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet, The Pet Project, Homeward Bound, Pet Haven, A Rotta Love Plus, Minnesota Boxer Rescue and Secondhand Hounds.

And the economic climate has made its services especially important. “More animals are being surrendered due to unexpected litters, people not being able to feed the animals  they have and general lack of income for animal care,” Allen says.

“We are always looking for angels to the animals,” Allen says. “We rely completely on community support; your donations of time, money or supplies, coupled with your love for companion animals, will save the lives of thousands of animals in Minnesota.” And, as the great and aptly named Bob Barker did for so many years on “The Price Is Right,” she closes with the classic line, “Please spay or neuter your pets!”