We scored this exclusive chat with "Puppy Bowl" referee Andrew Schecher, who has presided over Animal Planet's annual puppy competition for the past three years. He dropped some crazy spoilers about this year's show (hint: bunnies and hamsters!), and shared his secrets for remaining impartial in the face of overpowering puppy cuteness. Read the full interview, below.

How did you become the referee of "Puppy Bowl"?

Well, I'm a producer at Animal Planet, and we were having a meeting a few years ago -- right before "Puppy Bowl IV" -- and I was like, "I want to be the ref." And I have a background in acting and improv, so I thought it would be great. But at the time everyone started hysterically laughing, because at the time, all the ref was was an on-set PA dressed as a ref who would go clean up the "puppy fouls" on the field. But after the laughter died down, I said, "No, seriously, I want to be the ref." And three years later, I think I've created a character for the ref, and I think it's become a staple in "Puppy Bowl."

What are some examples of puppy fouls that you have to untangle?

There are some very important calls I have to make. Of course, there's "unnecessary ruff-ruff-ruffness," and that's something I have to call very often. There is sometimes "illegal use of the paws." And of course, there's some un-puppy-like conduct. And every once and a while, you see an illegal retriever down the field. But the hardest call I have to make is of course the personal foul, and that's when a puppy -- just being a puppy -- has a foul on the field. And I can tell you that puppy fouls are the foulest of fouls. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it, and I like to keep a clean game, in every sense of the word.

Do you have a dog?

No, I don't. And to be honest, a dog would not be very comfortable in my closet-sized Brooklyn apartment. I think that admitting you're not responsible enough for a dog is really a form of being responsible. And that's really the whole point of "Puppy Bowl" -- it's all tongue-in-cheek, but we are trying to inform people about puppies. And there is an animal out there for everyone, not just puppies -- they come in all shapes and sizes.

Are you ever totally overwhelmed with the puppies' cuteness and you get distracted?

Yes. I spend the day with 43 adorable puppies. But it's not just me -- everyone on the set is smiling ear-to-ear the entire day. It's a long shoot day, too--you spend 12 hours with the puppies. But everyone who does "Puppy Bowl" loves it -- I think that's one of the reason it's become so popular, and kind of this cultural phenomenon. There's nothing cuter than working with puppies and seeing puppies do their natural puppy behavior.

Do you wish that you could have puppies in your workplace every day?

Yeah, I always think I should have at least four to five puppies at arm's length at all times. Believe it or not, though, animals are not allowed in my workplace. And you'd think that at Animal Planet there would be lions roaming the halls and monkeys sending faxes and chickens answering the phones, but no, it's not the case. But puppies definitely boost morale, no matter where they are.

What's your biggest-ever "Puppy Bowl" disaster?

It probably happened last year during "Puppy Bowl V." We had an incident where a streaker got onto the field. And when I say streaker, I mean a Chinese crested hairless dog jumped out of the stand and made a run for it across the "Puppy Bowl" field. As the ref, I quickly got the situation under control. I covered up the puppy and retained order on the field.

Do you guys just sit around and think about puppy innuendo and crack up?

Yeah, that's a big part of it. Every year, we also try to up the ante in production value as well. We always try to introduce new elements. This year, for example we have two very exciting new elements -- this is big news, get ready: gracing the sidelines for the first time ever at Animal Planet stadium are bunny rabbit cheerleaders, and flying high above Animal Planet stadium are hamsters flying a miniature blimp. We're also keeping the classic features that fans have come to love, including the kitten halftime show, and of course the world-famous water bowl cam -- which is pretty much the most innovative camera angle in all of televised sports. There's a camera underneath the water bowl looking up at the puppies lapping up water, and every once and a while they step in the water bowl and you get to see the bottom of their cute little paws.

Do you ever find that it's difficult to retain your professional impartiality? Don't you want to play favorites with a particularly cute puppy?

I'm proud to say that I am completely unbiased towards their cuteness. I play a 100% fair game -- it's every puppy for themselves. I do not pick sides regardless of how often the lick my face. It's very difficult, but I'm very professional. And this is a side note -- my favorite thing about "Puppy Bowl" is that we're not directing them or dressing them up. We're just observing natural puppy behavior. And when you see a puppy exploring the world around him, and he's so curious about everything around him, you can't not fall in love with him.

Have you ever completely fallen in love with a puppy so much that you really wanted to take him or her home with you?

It happens almost every 30 seconds, but there was one puppy one year named Schroeder who kept falling asleep on the field, and he was just the cutest little dog. But I know he's in a very loving home right now.

Do you find that it's difficult not to talk in a puppy voice on-air?

Like, the high-pitched puppy voice? No, like I said, I'm a true professional, and I use a stern yet friendly tone, and even though the people around me sometimes use that high pitch, I like to keep the puppies grounded.