Fans of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl know the annual sporting event for its clumsy, energetic puppies who jump, run and flop around until they pass out from exhaustion. But there’s another part of Puppy Bowl that happens off the turf: to help the joy animals bring us all materialize into forever homes, Animal Planet harnesses the excitement shared by Puppy Bowl fans year round and brings that energy to animal shelters around the country in hopes of encouraging local residents to take some pets home “fur” good.

Animal Planet’s 2015 Road to the Puppy Bowl, which kicked off last Sunday, March 1 in Washington, D.C., does just this. For the nationwide tour, the network will partner with several animal shelters across the country to host a series of events where local residents can swing by and visit with the animals. To help make adding a “plus one” a little easier, Animal Planet is helping to cover adoption fees.

At last Sunday’s event – held at the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) – more than 150 local residents stopped by, and over 20 animals found forever homes. (Fun fact: WARL is also home to Animal Planet L!VE’s Puppy Cam and Kitten Cam.) This Sunday, March 8 from 11-3pm ET, Road to the Puppy Bowl will make its second stop – this time at Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS). Those interested in stopping by can learn more by checking out the official e-invite.

Be sure to follow Animal Planet on Facebook and Twitter for updates on upcoming Road to the Puppy Bowl events!