Residents can meet firefighters, watch police dog demonstrations, and maybe even adopt a shelter dog at May 9 event
Hillsborough County, Fla. (May 7, 2026) - This Saturday, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will team up with the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center to help shelter pets find their forever families.
The goal of the first Heroes and Hounds event is to give residents an opportunity to spark a lifelong bond with an adoptable dog, all while meeting the heroes who keep you and your furry companions safe.
Held at a Riverview fire station, the event will allow residents to meet adoptable dogs from the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, watch HCSO K-9 unit demonstrations, and learn fire safety tips from firefighters. In addition, Hillsborough fire trucks will be on display, the State Fire Marshal will do an arson search demonstration, and there will be a search-and-rescue dog on site. The sheriff's office ice cream truck will be at the fire station, and firefighters from HCFR Local 2294 will be cooking free hot dogs for visitors.
Heroes and Hounds will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Station 46, 10775 Rhodine Rd., Riverview, FL 33579.
The Pet Resource Center (PRC), 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619, is Hillsborough County's only open-admissions shelter. It accepts all dogs or cats regardless of age, breed, size or medical condition. Residents can view adoptable pets at HCFL.gov/Adopt. Follow PRC on Facebook and Instagram @PRCPets for weekly featured pets and other PRC news.