Longest-tenured shelter dogs in Tampa Bay rooting for underdog Rays

With the Tampa Bay Rays facing a do-or-die Game 4 Tuesday night, local rescue shelters are leaning into that "underdog mentality" by highlighting some literal underdogs at their facilities.Tampa shelter adoption pushWith the Rays facing elimination Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, local adoption teams are connecting the team's postseason battle to dogs facing long stays. Staff members hope the excitement surrounding the game inspires the community to consider animals that need extra support.Longest-waiting Tampa dogsAt the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, a 3-to-5-year-old dog named Pinto spent more than 370 days waiting for a home after arriving as a stray in mid-October 2025. Shelter staff describes Pinto as a little brown dog that’s just gotten overlooked. The three-to-five-year-old pup already knows basic commands, walks pretty well on a leash, and loves swimming and playing with toys. Hours after staff highlighted his story Tuesday, an adopter stepped forward to welcome h