Thanks to James Gunn's Superman and his dog Krypto, the rates of dog adoption in the US have skyrocketed by a whopping 500% according to a recent report. Krypto, the superdog in the film has inspired many to adopt the pet
Superman and Krypto
David Corenswet is making waves as Superman in James Gunn’s latest film. But it is Krypto the superdog who’s stealing hearts and also sparking real-life change. Interestingly, the CGI canine sidekick is inspired by James' own rescue dog Ozu. The interesting part is that viewers are getting so obsessed with Krypto that it has led to a spike in dog adoption interest in the US following the film’s release. For the unversed, Krypto plays a crucial role. Although he's not exactly well-behaved, he's fiercely loyal and unexpectedly helpful in combat action. His on-screen presence clearly leaves the audience in awe.
Dog adoptions rise by 500% in the US
According to a report by The Wrap, the dog training app Woofz notes that Google searches for “adopt a dog near me” have risen by an astonishing 513% in the US after the movie’s opening weekend. A more specific query, "rescue dog adoption near me" has also jumped by 163%, indicating a surge in interest in giving a second chance to the shelter dogs.
The way Krypto hugs Superman after getting abandoned by Supergirl 😭 pic.twitter.com/2pEVZrRi31
— Superman (@supermanMOT) July 15, 2025
Notably, Krypto is based on James Gunn’s own pup, Ozu. During an interview, James revealed he adopted Ozu while writing Superman, and he struggled with training him. That led to an idea: "What if this unruly dog had superpowers?" And from there, Krypto’s character took shape. Interestingly, Woofz also reported a 31% rise in "adopt a puppy" searches. Additionally, breed-specific interests also saw a huge spike. For example, adopt a schnauzer spiked 299%, since Krypto is modelled after a Schnauzer-terrier mix, like Ozu.
Woofz CEO Natalia Shahmetova in a statement, said, "Adoption is a real commitment. The hype will fade, but your dog will stay, so make sure you’re ready to give them the time, care, and training they need and deserve.” The maker,s Warner Bros., in partnership with an American adoption agency, covered adoption fees between July 1–10, leading up to the film’s premiere on Friday, last week.
Not the first time
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a James Gunn project has had a positive impact on the animal community. Back in 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 received acclaim from PETA for spotlighting the cruelty of animal testing. And with Superman, it looks like Krypto is flying the flag for animal welfare.
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