San Antonio Spotlights Uniquely Perfect Pets on National Mutt Day
Published on July 31, 2025
SAN ANTONIO (July 31, 2025) – This National Mutt Day, San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) is celebrating the unique charm of mixed-breed dogs and all shelter pets. To mark the occasion, SAACS is offering a $25 adoption special for all pets on Thursday, July 31,only.
The celebration includes the launch of an enhanced Pet Search experience on the shelter’s website — part of a shelter initiative designed to connect future pet parents with adoptable animals by focusing on each pet’s personality, story, and traits rather than outdated breed labels.
Chief among the enhancements are more accurate descriptions based on the pet’s size, color, and behavior, including likes and dislikes. While specific breed labels have been a long-term staple in shelter pet marketing, they’re no longer considered best practice. Growing research shows the breed identification in shelters is often inaccurate, because many of the pets coming into shelters, including SAACS, are “breed blends” that are a mix of multiple breeds. Many of these animals, especially larger dogs, suffer from stereotypes and blanket biases that overlook the individual stories and personalities of each pet.
A similar project in Orange County, California, saw larger dog adoptions increase more than 10% when the shelter focused pet descriptions on each pet’s unique traits and behavior. Additionally, because the shelter remains committed to promoting transparency about capacity, challenges, and operations, the new pet search tool includes honest communication about shelter euthanasia. Each pet’s profile includes context about why shelter euthanasia remains a risk in San Antonio, and how choosing adoption plays a vital role in helping to prevent it.
As the project progresses, SAACS will track adoption outcomes and each pet’s length of stay. The public can explore the new SAACS Pet Search tool and learn about all of the adoptable pets at SAACS.info/PetSearch.