TAMPA, Fla. — Every dog has its day.
That’s why the USF Bulls are dedicating a game day to the dogs.
The women’s basketball team was treated to some special guests at a recent practice — the Bulls opened up their practice court to pair of puppies.
At Saturday’s game against Temple, they’re opening up the Yuengling Center to the dogs, to shine a spotlight on several Tampa Bay pet rescue and animal shelters, a cause near and dear to USF head coach Jose Fernandez.
“I think there’s an incredible need, not only in the Tampa Bay community, but all over the United States to get these guys a nice home,” Fernandez said.
Coach Fernandez and his wife, Tonya, have opened their home to rescue dogs. They currently have eight dogs.
Eight dogs that were unwanted and abandoned, until the Fernandez’s opened up their home and their hearts.
“It’s unconditional love. You can have whatever day that you have, whether it’s good or bad, and when you come home, the excitement,” he said.
That’s what the Bulls are hoping their annual Dog Adoption Awareness Game on Saturday will showcase — the importance of adopting, not shopping.
With so many available dogs in shelters all over the Bay Area, especially after back-to-back hurricanes wreaked havoc and landed many more animals in the shelters, the need for forever homes is paramount.
“Anything we can do to help these guys find a home, these little guys and gals find a home,” Tonya Fernandez said. “There’s just so many. There’s so many dogs out there who need homes.”
There will be several local shelter and rescues organizations at the game, including: