Oakley the Husky outside of the College Park Center ahead of the Dallas Wings matchup against the Las Vegas Aces on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Photo: Mason Garcia| The Podium Finish)
ARLINGTON, Texas — Pet adoption night at the Dallas Wings game was a roaring success on all fronts Monday night, highlighted by a massive 96-66 victory against the Las Vegas Aces. The 30-point blowout marked the largest margin of victory for the Wings over the Aces in franchise history.
While fans partook in a good cause for Dallas-area canines, the Wings dominated on both ends of the floor throughout the night. Azzi Fudd was incredibly efficient, making eight of her nine shots and sinking both of her free throws to finish with 19 points.
Meanwhile, Jessica Shepard anchored the defensive end and flirted with history, finishing just one assist shy of her third triple-double of the season. Shepard dominated the paint with 15 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists.
Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings was accompanied by Oakley the Huskey at College Park Center. (Photo: Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center Facebook)
The celebratory energy began before tip-off, as several rescue dogs from the Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center escorted players into College Park Center. In a fitting tribute to her college days as a UConn Husky, Wings guard Paige Bueckers was ushered into the arena by Oakley, a 10-month-old husky puppy.
By the time the shelter staff departed shortly after the start of the fourth quarter, six dogs had already been successfully adopted.
Events like this hit especially close to home for Wings head coach Jose Fernandez, who is a passionate advocate for rescue animals alongside his wife, Tonya. The Fernandez family currently houses eight dogs in their home.
“Tonya and I were very active in Tampa and at the University of South Florida, having an annual dog adoption day with 10-11 rescues and probably up to 18 to 20 vendors each year for that game. So, it’s great for the organization and the Dallas Wings to host this evening,” Fernandez said postgame. “It’s a great night to find a home for a lot of dogs that need tender loving care and a new home.”
Cause for the paws: Dallas Wings partnered with the Dallas Animal Shelter for forever friends to find forever homes. (Photo: Mason Garcia | The Podium Finish)
The awareness raised by the event comes at a critical time. The Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center is currently operating at 150% capacity, a number that continues to grow as daily intakes outpace adoptions.
To help combat the crisis, the shelter offers several flexible options for community involvement, including temporary fostering, a volunteer run club every Saturday and Sunday, and “daycations”, where prospective owners can take an animal out for the afternoon. Adoption fees are also currently waived.
The Dallas Animal Shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. It is located at 1818 North Westmoreland Road, Dallas, TX 75212. Those interested in volunteering can fill out an application on the official Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center website.
