DENISON, Texas (KTEN) — Puppies and pizza... a new partnership between Whitewright Pizza, the Denison Animal Welfare Group and the Sherman Animal Shelter is helping dogs find homes.

"Get a card, adopt a dog, you get a free pizza," said Whitewright Pizza owner Terry Boesch. "We're going to celebrate hopefully saving 200 to 300 dogs in the next couple of months."

Boesch said seeing the a crowded shelter in McKinney prompted him to create this partnership.

"It's just getting worse and worse with people," said DAWG adoption coordinator and board member Bruce Edmaiston. "I've actually started seeing euthanizations inside of the pounds now."

DAWG reports that people are still returning dogs that were adopted during COVID, due to the responsibility of ownership or because of costs.

"Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into, because it's a lifetime commitment," said Katanna Rivera, who adopted King from DAWG on Friday.

Wanting to help make an impact on the number of dogs in kennels, free pizza seemed like a pretty easy incentive for Boesch, who is offering $4,000 worth of savory incentives.

Starting in July, new pet parents at either of the two shelters will receive a free pizza, and the plan is already working. 

"I think it's always a good deal to draw attention to the adoption process, or a place like DAWG," said Rivera.

And we're coming up on National Pet Adoption Weekend, making it the perfect time to start the program.

"On our larger dogs, we're lowering our rate, so for adoptions, we'll be at PetSmart this weekend from 10 to 3," Edmaiston said.