Rookie Shelter Pups Open their Playbook for Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl V

- Watch These 'Free Agents' Tear Up the Turf on Super Bowl(TM) Sunday -

- Join 'Pepper the Parrot' for His Debut National Anthem Performance -

SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- If your favorite team's season
went to the dogs this year, Animal Planet has some new recruits that are ready
for their chance to conquer the pigskin -- or a chew toy -- in PUPPY BOWL V.
The yearly canine competition is back as a new cast of pups takes the field
for another year of dogged defense, puppy penalties and fido first downs. The
action takes place on the grand gridiron of Animal Planet Stadium, where an
all-star, all-"adoptable" lineup of rambunctious pups is ready to compete in
the ultimate puppy showdown. This year, every puppy featured in PUPPY BOWL V
is recruited from a local shelter, so these pooches are free agents looking
for a good home. Plus, while the big guys are listening to "The Boss" at
halftime, PUPPY BOWL has once again enlisted the help of some frisky kittens
for an all-new edition of the KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW. Make your fantasy picks
now because PUPPY BOWL V premieres Sunday, February 1, from 3-5 PM (ET/PT).

Straight from local shelters, this year's puppy starting line-up is filled
with hustling huskies and tackling terriers that are ready for action as they
vie for the title of MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). Returning to give viewers a
play-by-play commentary is world renowned Harry Kalas, voice of NFL Films and
the Philadelphia Phillies, whose legendary voice brings even more intensity to
this already feisty rivalry. And in recognition of Puppy Bowl's fifth
anniversary, we look back on some of the best puppy plays through the years.

"Super Bowl fans are used to cable cams and slow motion instant replays," says
Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet Media. "But
only Animal Planet viewers can get up-close and personal with our adorable
puppy players through our innovative water bowl cam. And they may have 'The
Boss,' but we have 'Pepper the Parrot' and the KITTEN HALF TIME SHOW for our
entertainment."

PUPPY BOWLV cameras catch all of the exhilarating action as the puppies pounce
and play against one another, mimicking the rough-and-tumble moves of the NFL.
However, with all the excitement, players sometimes can get out of line,
which is why PUPPY BOWL is equipped with instant replays and "puppy penalties"
doled out by our veteran PUPPY BOWL referee, Andrew Schechter. He knows the
puppy rules like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to assess penalties
when the players commit an infraction. This year, he even has to reign in an
overzealous puppy fan that "streaks" the field.

"I think we all have a calling," says Andrew. "Some of us are firemen; some
are policemen. I am a ref. I referee little, cute, adorable puppies pretending
to play football for people's enjoyment. It's a dirty job, but someone has to
do it."

To kick start this year's sports extravaganza is "Pepper the Parrot," singing
a unique rendition of the National Anthem. Then at halftime, the frisky
felines are back for the KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW. The lively kittens once again
show off their moves on a glittery stage while swooning fans enjoy their
rocking halftime performance. These tiny tabbies and cuddly calicos prove that
watching curious kittens bat around a toy mouse is all the entertainment you
need.

All of the charming canines featured in PUPPYBOWLV come from regionally based
shelters, including Furry Friends Network, Paw-fect Match Rescue and the SPCA
of Anne Arundel County (Maryland). Viewers who are interested in adopting from
a shelter in their area can visit PETFINDER.COM, the best online resource for
finding adoptable pets.

To learn more about PUPPY BOWL V, visit our electronic press kit for videos on
the training regimen and history of our referee Andrew Schechter:
http://press.discovery.com/ekits/puppybowl2009/. Plus, fans can visit
AnimalPlanet.com for a list of the top five PUPPY BOWL moments and a chance to
vote for this year's MVP (Most Valuable Puppy).

PUPPY BOWL V official sponsors include Pedigree, Bissell, SC Johnson and
Disney's Space Buddies.

PUPPY BOWL V and the KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW are productions of Discovery
Studios. For Discovery Studios, Rob Burk is the executive producer. Melinda
Toporoff is the executive producer for Animal Planet.

Animal Planet Media (APM), a multi-media business unit of Discovery
Communications, is the world's only entertainment brand that immerses viewers
in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via
multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a
centralized online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging,
high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment. APM consists of the
Animal Planet television network, available in more than 95 million homes in
the US; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination
for all things animal; the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond;
Petfinder.com, the #1 pet-related Web property globally that facilitates pet
adoption; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD)
service; mobile content; and merchandising extensions.

SOURCE Animal Planet

Erin Pryor of Animal Planet, +1-240-662-6781, Erin_Pryor@discovery.com