Skechers reported that its philanthropic Bobs from Skechers division donated more than $10 million since the program’s launch in 2015 and that the funds have helped save and support 1.9 million dogs and cats in need.
To celebrate the milestone, Skechers kicked off a year-long awareness campaign with the Bobs from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship, which will allow college creatives to design styles that improve shelter animals’ lives.
“This $10 million achievement is thanks to the passionate pet lovers who have been part of the Bobs story for the past eight years. They saw Bobs from Skechers as a positive, practical way to save lives, and their purchases have made a tremendous difference,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Rising costs have created new challenges for animals in need and their organizations, but thanks to the community we’ve built together, we’re now in a position to do even more. From supporting shelters at home and abroad to funding flights that help pets reach their forever homes, Bobs will continue to find creative, ambitious ways to save millions.”
Over the past eight years, Bobs from Skechers has grown into a year-round movement with round-up donations, vaccination events, check celebrations for organizations, and animal transports to future homes. Through sales of Bobs’ footwear, apparel and accessories, Skechers funded pet adoptions, saved over 1.4 million dogs and cats and nurtured 450,000 more at nurseries, sanctuaries and medical care facilities. The brand supports Petco Love’s network of 4,000 animal welfare organizations in the U.S. and Canada, rescue pets in the U.K. through Woodgreen Pets Charity and shelter animals in Japan through Alma.
Added Greenberg, “Our Bobs animal-themed prints have been at the heart of our message, inspiring pet lovers to wear and share our collections. We thought it would be wonderful to feature personal designs from young artists who have experienced firsthand how shelter pets change lives. The Bobs from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship is a special way that students can use their creative talents to produce unique cat or dog prints that can help save animals across the country.”
The Bobs from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship will give two students the opportunity to see their shoe designs produced and sold in the 2024 Skechers collection and provide $10,000 scholarships from the Skechers Foundation, one-on-one, corporate mentorships and donations to local animal welfare organizations.
Open to students at U.S. colleges and universities who will be enrolled in the 2024/25 academic year, the Bobs from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship is accepting applications from September 1 through October 15, 2023.
Bobs from Skechers footwear, apparel and accessories are available online, at Skechers stores, and at department and specialty locations. For every specially marked Bobs from Skechers item purchased, a donation is made to support shelter pets and animal welfare organizations in the U.S., Canada and select international markets.
Photo courtesy Lizzy and Haley Hartford
