For the first time in U.S. history, one of the “First Dogs” is a shelter animal. The newest Biden family dog is a German shepherd named Major, who was adopted from the Delaware Humane association two years ago. He joined their other German shepherd, whom they purchased from a breeder.

Previously, the decision of getting a dog from a breeder sparked a quick backlash on social media. The Biden family decided when they added their next dog, it would be a shelter pet.

They met Major through fostering him. They fell in love with his personality, and couldn’t let him leave. Major’s adoption has given the adoption movement a boost.

First shelter pet, but not the first rescue

While Major marks the first shelter pet in history to grace the White House, he is not the first rescue. This pleasure goes to Yuki, a mixed-breed who was found abandoned at a gas station by the previous owner, and who was taken in by President Johnson’s daughter.

When President Johnson went home with his family to their ranch, Yuki got to ride in style on Air Force One. Another rescue animal that once lived in the white house was Socks, President Clinton’s cat. Although he started out as a stray, Socks lived in style for several years at the White House.

Shelter pets have a lot of benefits to offer, such as already being potty trained, and already knowing the personality of the pet. Major proves that checking out shelters can be a great way to find a dog, even for Presidents.