All week we've been showing off the all-rescue stars of this year's Puppy Bowl. (Check out the starting lineup, some of our favorite players and the pigs, kittens and bird of Puppy Bowl VIII.) Now, as the puppies take to the field on Animal Planet, we're giving everyone a virtual backstage pass. After the jump, take a look at our behind-the-scenes photos and find out which puppy got adopted onsite by a Puppy Bowl staffer!
While
helping to check in the puppies arriving at the New York City studio, I sneak some cuddle time with York from Trevorton, PA-based Pet Matchmaker Rescue.
In the green room, staff and volunteers from the puppies' shelters and rescue groups wait patiently for filming to begin. (Puppies definitely help make the waiting easier!)
Meep the Bird, a cockatiel from St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ, gets ready to live tweet the event. (Follow @MeeptheBird)
The puppies start getting called to the field. As each puppy leaves the green room, his or her photo is taken off the "on the bench" board.
Sandi Buck, a certified animal safety representative for the American Humane Association who's on hand to make sure no animals are harmed during filming, passes a puppy onto the field. 
On-set dog trainer and founder of Life on the Leash in Doylestown, PA, Victoria Schade cuddles with Tattoo from Friends of Pep Border Collie Rescue in Gouldsboro, PA.
After playing hard on the field, the puppies are pooped!
Puppy Bowl crew member Elvis De Leon fell in love with Wally from Alabama-based Chattahoochee Humane Society and applied to adopt him on the spot. The best moment of the day: When Elvis found out he was approved to adopt Wally!
On Animal Planet:
Official Puppy Bowl VIII website
Game Day Fan Photo Faceoff
Blog:
Meet some of our favorite Puppy Bowl puppies!
Meet Puppy Bowl's all-rescue lineup!
Meet the kittens, pigs and bird of Puppy Bowl
What's That Mutt? Puppy Bowl Player Jackson
What's That Mutt? Puppy Bowl Player Two Face
Video:
Behind the Scenes at Puppy Bowl VII
