Free dog food for a year? Rescue teams up with dog food brand to get senior dogs adopted

Some say old dogs can't learn new tricks, but can they find their forever home? Well, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is trying to help do just that by offering a year of free food to the families who adopt two senior dogs.

The pet food brand teamed up with Vanderpump Dogs, a rescue organization in Los Angeles, California, to help senior pups Wilfred and Cody get adopted.

Four-legged seniors in shelters already have a harder time getting adopted.

"I think, with seniors, a lot of people assume that because they're older [and] in the shelter that they might have behavioral problems or there's some reason that they ended up," Natalie Phillips, an adoption coordinator with Vanderpump Dogs, told USA TODAY.

A lot of times, older dogs end up in shelters because of circumstances that are out of their and their owner's control, like with Cody and Wilfred.

Senior dog adoptions:'Billy Bob' the senior dog has been at Ohio animal shelter for nearly 3 years

Meet Cody and Wilfred

Wilfred, the shelter's "sweet" 15-year-old grandpa, ended up in a high-kill shelter after his original owner, who was elderly, passed away. Vanderpump Dogs rescued him, and after lots of dental work that resulted in Wilfred having 12 teeth removed, he is ready to find a new home.

"He's very friendly, and he's all ready to go home," said Phillips.

Cody, who was also described as "sweet" and "friendly," was rescued in 2020 and was adopted by a family who loved him. He was with them for three years, but, due to unforeseen financial troubles, he was returned to the shelter around six months ago. In his time back, he has had zero families apply to adopt him.

"Whenever we do adopt dogs out, it's our policy that they always have a home here," said Phillips. "If need be, they never go back to the shelter, even if it's years later, we'll always take them back to our rescue."

Cody and Wilfred are seniors and black dogs which, according to Phillips, could factor into why they haven't been adopted yet.

At the rescue, dogs usually get adopted within the month, but Cody has been there for six.

Only 25% of the senior dogs in shelters get adopted, states the ASPCA.

Senior pups looking to be adopted get moment in the spotlight

The four-legged stars got to walk down the orange carpet with one of the stars of the latest Garfield Movie.

Wilfred and Cody accompanied Cecily Strong down the orange carpet at the Garfield movie premiere. The former SNL cast member who voiced Marge Malone said she has a senior dog, too.

Those who are able to adopt senior dogs, should do it, said Strong in a TikTok posted by Hills Pet Nutrition.

Adopting a pet is "a gift to dogs, who are such a gift to us," said Strong.

Christ Pratt, the voice of Garfield, said his wife is a "huge advocate" for the ASPCA and that he is "all about that life."

"I think offering a home to an animal, especially an aging animal, is a really wonderful act of service," said Christ Prat, who voices Garfield, in a different TikTok.