Senior dogs “overlooked” in shelter get glitzy Hollywood outing

Two shelter dogs recently received VIP treatment as they waltzed down the red carpet for The Garfield Movie premiere in Los Angeles.

The glitzy outing on May 19, aimed to help with their adoption, as the staff at Vanderpump Dogs rescue center, co-founded by Lisa Vanderpump of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, want nothing more than to see them find a loving home.

Cody is estimated to be around 7 years old and has been with the rescue center located in West Hollywood Park, on and off since 2020. Despite being adopted for three years, Cody, with a crooked snout, was returned to the shelter in late 2023 due to his family’s financial struggles.

Dogs red carpet
Cecily Strong is holding Cody. Wilfred is in the back on the leash and Jasmine (previously adopted from Pasadena Humane) is in the front on the leash. The image on the right shows Wilfred (L),…
Cecily Strong is holding Cody. Wilfred is in the back on the leash and Jasmine (previously adopted from Pasadena Humane) is in the front on the leash. The image on the right shows Wilfred (L), Cody (R).

Michael Simon

Wilfred, a 15-year-old dog with pointed ears, has had a tougher journey. Rescued from a high-kill shelter two months ago after his owner passed away, he required significant dental surgery and is now looking for someone to love again.

These reasons for surrendering pets are common. According to researchers from the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy who analyzed data from 12 selected animal shelters in the United States, and findings published by the American Animal Hospital Association, the top reasons for surrendering pets include moving, having too many animals in the household, the cost of pet maintenance, the owner having personal problems, an illness or death. Other reasons include inadequate facilities, no homes available for litter mates, having no time for the pet and biting.

In a popular post shared by @vanderpumpdogs, Cody and Wilfried can be seen posing with American actress Cecily Strong, who voices the villain Marge Malone in the movie. The canines can be seen lapping up the love during the red carpet event.

Newsweek discussed the event with Dr. Stacey Bone, a veterinarian and senior brand manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. She emphasized the value of adopting senior pets.

“Puppies and kittens are cute, but they also need a ton of extra attention and training. Senior pets have so much love left to give, and their laid-back personalities make them perfect for lots of different homes,” she told Newsweek. “Adopting a senior pet is a great way to give these well-deserving, and often overlooked, pets another chance to live a life of vitality.”

The outing also included a special offer from Hill’s Pet Nutrition: anyone adopting Cody or Wilfred will receive a year’s worth of free Hill’s Science Diet Senior Vitality dog food. This initiative aims to reduce the number of senior pets languishing in shelters.

The Hollywood event was a heartwarming success, giving Cody and Wilfred a chance to show their true personalities. Such events are crucial for promoting senior pet adoption, providing these animals with the exposure they need to find forever homes. “

“Celebrating the aging of pets helps them live long, full lives,” Dr. Bone said. “When pet parents embrace this, they help their pets experience vitality and happiness in their later years.”

Caring for an Older Dog

Dr. Bone also shared advice on how to look after a senior pet and ensure they are healthy and comfortable. “One of the best ways to care for your senior pet is to set regular appointments with your veterinarian, ideally two times per year. It is important to proactively bring up any issues or concerns and avoid waiting if your pet is presenting any issues. Working together, you can monitor for the signs of aging and create a plan to keep your pet in the best shape possible.”

“Be proactive about what you feed your pets. Our pets go through multiple stages of life, and we should be evaluating nutrition regularly and often. Senior pets are no different, so it is important to switch to a food formulated specifically for seniors. While different pets begin showing age-related signs at different times, veterinarians generally identify pets as seniors around age 7.”

“Like humans, pets’ metabolism slows as they age, so the amount of food they eat may need to be adjusted to avoid weight gain.”

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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