Bergen Puppy Bowl Stars Reunite at Shelter Pep Rally

There was lots of rooting and cheering (and plenty of barking too) at the Bergen County Animal Shelter Friday as Puppy Bowl IX  stars Eli and Tuck kicked off a pep rally in their honor which had plenty of Bergen spirit. 

Each year Animal Planet's popular "Puppy Bowl" helps draw attention to the animal shelters all over the nation. Eli and Tuck will represent Bergen County by appearing in the starting line-up on Sunday.

County Executive Kathleen Donovan joined Dr. Nancy Mangieri, head of the county's health department, in celebrating Friday afternoon. The Hasbrouck Heights High School senior cheering squad came out to root the puppies on.

Eli and Tuck, both German Shepherd mixes, hadn't seen each other in three months. Both brothers have since been adopted by local families.

They were part of a litter of six puppies who were left abandoned outside the Teterboro-based shelter on a cold night back in October, said Mangieri. They were taken in, given foster homes and from there were selected to appear in the big Puppy Bowl event. Brothers Cruz and Prince were also selected to appear but Eli and Tuck are in the starting line-up.

Eli's owner Kathleen Peruta of Lyndhurst says she is very proud of him. Both Peruta and Kerrie Dunn, of Leonia, who is now Tuck's owner, were given certificates from Donovan in honor of the pups achievements.

Puppy Bowl airs on Animal Planet beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3.

The Bergen County Animal Shelter had many wonderful animals who would make great pets. The shelter is open seven days a week and adoption can be done on any day.