‘Krypto craze': Moviegoers rush to adopt rescue pups after watching Superman
According to dog training app Woofz, Google searches for the phrase 'adopt a dog near me' jumped by a staggering 513 per cent following the opening weekend of James Gunn's new blockbuster.
Searches for 'rescue dog adoption near me' also surged by 163 per cent.
The film's four-legged rascal, Krypto, is not only inspired by Gunn's own badly behaved dog Ozu, whom he adopted while writing the movie, but was actually 3D modelled on Ozu's body.
Gunn shared a video of his pup barking wildly at Krypto on screen, hilariously reacting to what he doesn't realise is his own digital twin.
As Gunn joked, 'Every time he sees himself on screen, he tries to murder himself.'
The director also opened up on Late Night with Seth Meyers about Ozu's journey and how it shaped the film.
'Ozu, who came from a hoarding situation in a backyard with 60 other dogs and never knew human beings, was problematic to say the least.
'He immediately came in and destroyed our home, our shoes, our furniture, he even ate my laptop,' Gunn said.
'It took a long time before he would even let us touch him. I remember thinking, 'Gosh, how difficult would life be if Ozu had superpowers?'- and thus Krypto came into the script and changed the shape of the story as Ozu was changing my life.'
But while Krypto's mischief and Ozu's heartwarming backstory have clearly inspired many to explore adoption, animal advocates warn that this kind of surge in interest can come with serious downsides.
This isn't the first time a film has triggered a wave of pet adoptions.
Disney's 1996 live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians, and even re-releases of the original animated classic, sparked a frenzy of fans wanting their own spotted Pongo.
But most were unprepared for the breed's needs, resulting in many owners returning to shelters with their tails between their legs.
This phenomenon was so widespread it earned its own name, The Dalmatian Syndrome.
According to the American Kennel Club, Dalmatian puppy registrations skyrocketed from 8,170 to 42,816 during that time.
Disney was forced to add a statement to the end of 102 Dalmatians (the sequel) warning potential owners to research a pet's breed thoroughly before purchasing it as an additional member of their family.
Lauren, an Animal Attendant from Animal Welfare League NSW, who you may have spotted on your tele if you're a fan of The Dog House, implores viewers of the new film to 'make sure they know the requirements and amount of time you need to put into raising a puppy.'
'Owning a dog is easily a 10-15 year commitment and not something that should be done on a whim.
'If people think they are ready for a lifelong best friend, they will never regret adopting from a shelter and giving a dog a second chance at life.
'Animals in shelters struggle everyday through no fault of their own.
'But it's also important to do lots of research about the breeds you're intending to adopt to make sure they fit in with your kind of lifestyle and living conditions.
'Shelters and pounds are bursting at the seams because of overbreeding and neglect, mostly from backyard breeders.
'There is a dog to suit any home and lifestyle at a shelter, all people need to do is have an open heart and mind.
'I will always and forever advocate for people to adopt and not shop.'
Other dog breeds that have experienced similar popularity spikes due to television or film include: Collies from Lassie, german shepherds from The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, french bulldogs from Modern Family, and jack russells from Frasier.
Despite the cautionary tales, the film's heartwarming message seems to have struck a chord, and many are hopeful that more Ozus will find their forever homes.
Critics have praised the new instalment, with many calling Krypto a standout star.
Screenrant's Molly Freeman posted to Twitter: 'James Gunn's Superman is a fun-filled, action-packed, quintessential summer blockbuster. Also, Krypto is THE BEST dog.'
Anthony Whyte from The Movie Blog added, 'Look, I didn't think James Gunn could make me care about Krypto the Superdog or dedicate a whole section to the canine in my Superman 2025 review. I was wrong.
'Krypto isn't just a gag, he's a loyal companion with attitude. Whether he's brawling with alien tech or just chilling in the Fortress of Solitude, Krypto earns his screen time.
'Kids are gonna love him, and adults are gonna leave the theatre googling 'adoptable white dogs'.'
Krypto is typically depicted as a white Labrador Retriever in the DC universe, not a Schnauzer/ Terrier mutt, which predictably drew some grumbles from comic buffs.
But despite minor changes appearing in the final cut, Krypto's impact on audiences, both on screen and off, has been undeniable.
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