Skechers exceeds $14 mn in animal welfare donations

BOBS from Skechers, the philanthropic brand of Skechers U.S.A., Inc. has surpassed 14 million dollars in donations to thousands of animal welfare organisations in the United States and internationally. Over the past decade, these corporate funds have helped find homes for more than 2 million shelter dogs and cats. Marking the start of its second decade, the global footwear firm is updating its brand marketing to focus on real-life accounts illustrating how rescue animals provide emotional comfort, nurture, and support to the families who adopt them.

Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers, stated that saving every rescue pet and supporting animal welfare organisations carries deep meaning, noting that the 14 million dollars provided over the last ten years has delivered a remarkable impact on animals in need worldwide. He added that corporate funding in the first half of this year alone has helped support thousands of animals, and expressed confidence that its 2026 donations to the national non-profit Best Friends Animal Society will drive a new level of awareness and change the lives of even more pets and people.

The domestic utility of the initiative was highlighted by Jake Woodruff, a neurodivergent musician and artist from the television series Love on the Spectrum, who met his shelter dog at a brand adoption event in 2024. Woodruff stated that the animal helps him navigate personal challenges with autism, eases his anxiety, and assists him in staying active and interacting with others, thereby improving his socialization and well-being. Samantha Bell, a cat expert at Best Friends Animal Society, also credited her career in the animal welfare sector to her early experiences volunteering with rescue animals. Bell noted that the corporate partnership extends beyond helpful financial support by giving critical visibility to shelter animals, making it possible to save more lives through global retail outreach.

During National Pet Month in May, the footwear manufacturer celebrated its renewed partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, committing a fixed sum of 500,000 dollars to the non-profit from 1 April 2026 until 31 December 2026 to help eliminate the culling of dogs and cats in American shelters. Corporate management clarified that consumer retail transactions do not affect this allocation, as the individual purchase of products from the collection will not result in a direct contribution or otherwise alter the final value of the corporate donation.

The seasonal trade campaign featured the commercial launch of two new product designs created by winners of the corporate Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship. Skechers also hosted a national register round-up campaign that raised 124,000 dollars to support Best Friends and its broader network of 6,000 shelters and rescue groups. Concurrently, targeted pet adoption events were executed at company retail locations in West Clifton, New Jersey; Salt Lake City, Utah; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Miami, Florida.

Julie Castle, chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society, expressed gratitude for the ongoing corporate backing, noting that the collaboration has had a significant impact on pets and communities across the country. This broader Fortune 500 footwear corporation designs, develops, and markets lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories, distributing its collections across approximately 180 countries through 5,300 retail stores, e-commerce channels, and an international network of subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and commercial distributors.