Skechers is for shelter pets.
With Giving Tuesday taking place this week, Skechers — winner of the FNAA 2024 Icon Award for Social Impact — confirmed it has donated $12 million to help save and support more than 2.2 million shelter pets since 2015, when the brand debuted its philanthropic Bobs from Skechers collection. The donations have helped animals in the United States, Canada, the U.K. and Japan.
“Like so many of the animals we’ve helped save, our Bobs from Skechers journey has taken us to surprising, emotional and joyous places these past nine years,” Skechers president Michael Greenberg, said in a statement.
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Addressing the company’s North American efforts, the executive highlighted its partnership with Petco Love, a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to animal welfare. The partnership began in 2019.
“[Together], we have provided much-needed grants to shelters that save dogs and cats, offered disaster relief in times of crisis, eased overcrowded shelters to give more animals a chance at survival and given people the unconditional love of a furry friend,” Greenberg continued.
Petco Love president Susanne Kogut added, “From supporting our lifesaving mission to celebrating our Love Stories winners and recipient animal welfare partner organizations, Skechers has been there to honor the joys that come with saving lives. “With more than $8.4 million given to Petco Love, Skechers has dedicated its team, time and resources to rally for our extensive network of organizations, events, and causes. We are grateful for their years of commitment and look forward to saving even more shelter pets together.”
Greenberg also stated these charitable endeavors inspired Skechers to not only organize adoption events at its stores, but also start its Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship. This scholarship, Skechers explained, was launched in 2023 and implores students to create animal-themed prints for the Bobs from Skechers collection that builds awareness for shelter pets.
In a statement, the brand confirmed Paws for a Cause now offers winning students $10,000 scholarships, mentorships with Skechers leadership and the opportunity to have their designs produced as part of the Bobs collection.
The brand also highlighted several other initiatives in North America that it participated in over the past year, including the first-ever televised Stanley Pup and Pawlympics at LA Coliseum, as well as Paws in the Park in New York City’s Union Square. Skechers also joined forces with Watching New York, an Instagram account founded by street style photographer Johnny Cirillo, to encourage adoptions and raise awareness for shelter pets.
Outside of North America, Skechers highlighted some of its other international partnerships, including Woodgreen Pets Charity in the U.K. and ALMA in Japan.
The timing of Skechers’ announcement of its ongoing philanthropic endeavors is fitting, as it will accept the FNAA 2024 Icon Award for Social Impact on Dec. 4. This year, the company’s deep commitment to helping others included its annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, work with the Friendship Foundation (an organization cofounded by Greenberg that provides peer support to kids with special needs) and more.
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
