Patriots' schedule release video stars shelter dogs from Hopkinton

TL;DR

The New England Patriots' 2026 schedule release video features rescue dogs from Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton, aiming to promote pet adoption. The creative video has gained significant attention, helping several dogs find new homes.

Key points

Patriots' video features rescue dogs from Baypath Humane Society
Video aims to promote pet adoption and has gone viral
Several dogs have already been adopted after the video release
Pawtriots program supports local animal shelters
Adoption process includes walk-ins and scheduled appointments

Mentioned in this story

Baypath Humane SocietyNew England Patriots

Thousands of football fans were introduced to some of Hopkinton's rescue dogs as Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton's pups starred in the New England Patriots' 2026 schedule release video. The annual NFL schedule release tradition is known for creative videos, but one of the Patriots' posts this year gave Baypath's dogs a chance to charm football fans and potentially find new homes. The 90-second video features the dogs running, wrestling and chasing toys around in the shelter's outdoor space at 500 Legacy Farms N, while an announcer delivers football-style play-by-play commentary and introduces each opponent. Each toy in the video represents one of the Patriots' opponents on the 2026 schedule. Baypath's Marketing Coordinator Maddy Berthold told the Daily News that the dogs approached filming with plenty of energy, alternating between seeking attention from the camera crew and diving into the pile of toys. "It's really awesome. Obviously we use our social media to try and get the word out there as much as we can, but something that we always see is that even for a long-stay dog, oftentimes the way that they find their home is through someone sharing a post or hearing about this specific dog online," she said. "So, knowing that this is going to get 10-times the audience we usually get is just huge."

Clover, a recently adopted puppy from Baypath Humane Society, plays with a Jets-themed toy used to announce the Patriots' matchup with their AFC East Division rival as part of the NFL football team's 2026 schedule announcement. The video has already drawn hundreds of thousands of views across the team's social media platforms since being posted on May 14.

Q&A

How did the Patriots' schedule release video feature shelter dogs?

The video showcased rescue dogs from Baypath Humane Society, using them to represent the Patriots' opponents while providing entertaining commentary.

Which dogs from Baypath Humane Society were featured in the Patriots' video?

Notable dogs included Willow, Clover, and Tadashi, all of whom have already been adopted, while others like Smiley and Owala are still available for adoption.

What is the Pawtriots program and how does it help animal shelters?

The Pawtriots program, initiated by the Patriots Foundation, partners with shelters to promote pet adoption and has already shown positive results for Baypath Humane Society.

How can I adopt a dog from Baypath Humane Society?

Interested adopters can visit Baypath on specified days or schedule an appointment, starting with an adoption questionnaire and a matchmaking session with counselors.