They're our closest confidants, invaluable figures in our lives, comforting us through our lows and celebrating our highs. Our pets are family, there for us through thick and thin.
But so many cats and dogs are in need of homes. And there are also so many owners who don't have the means to provide for them.
Skechers cares deeply about their plight, which is why the footwear company created the BOBS from Skechers division. For nearly a decade, this initiative has partnered with Petco Love, an animal-welfare nonprofit that funds vaccinations, cancer care, and transportation costs, as well as supporting adoptions throughout the nation.
Since its inception in 2015, BOBS from Skechers has donated $11 million dollars through product sales, a tremendous milestone that deserves a few rounds of applause (or do we mean "a-paws"?) More than 2 million animals have benefited from the brand's efforts—a movement that has ramped up its efforts this month with everything from a birthday block party for pets in New York’s Union Square Park to mega-adoption events across the country.
And now, to foster the importance of animal rescue for a new generation, the company’s Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship Program is also awarding grants to two animal welfare advocates enrolled in a college or university.
The Paws for a Cause program invited students across the United States to share their personal stories of sheltering or adopting a pet, and to create a dog- or cat-themed print for a BOBS from Skechers shoe. The field was then narrowed down to 20 finalists, from which the two grantees were selected by the design team. Each will receive a $10,000 college scholarship from the Skechers Foundation, a donation to a local animal-welfare organization in their honor, and hands-on mentorship sessions with Skechers designers.
They'll also have their award-winning shoe designs sold on the brand's website and select Skechers retail stores.
Edging out the competition were college students Teeny Nadeau and Maki Shigetani. These two emerging talents both showcased patterns that express their profound relationships with their adopted pets, how these bonds have truly impacted their lives, and why it's important to promote animal welfare.
Teeny Nadeau
A cluster of cats, a cast of characters each with their own unique traits, etched in black on a white background: This is the basis of Teeny Nadeau's print. The scene represents the personal aesthetic of the entertainment art/animation and illustration double major and, more importantly, the many personalities of felines—especially her own, Firefly. "The Paws for a Cause scholarship program has been the most incredible gift during a tough year for me and Firefly, whose cancer sadly took her life," says Nadeau. "Winning this award feels like the most fantastic way to honor the memory of my lifelong companion—especially knowing that Firefly's print will help rescue pets, which makes it even more special."
Maki Shigetani
Maki Shigetani's print depicts multiple breeds of dogs, from pugs to poodles, driving in colorful cars with smiles on their faces. Called "Bark 'n' Drive," it invites a sense of play; it evokes joy. Which is exactly the emotion rescue pups brought to the Shigetani household during the pandemic. "Our pets' goofy antics, unconditional love, and sheer enthusiasm for life are contagious, transforming our home into a sanctuary of laughter and warmth," says Shigetani. "It's wonderful to have my work become part of the BOBS mission, which resonates so profoundly with me. I believe in creating better environments for our four-legged friends, ensuring they experience love, care, and a sense of belonging—and spreading awareness about how these bundles of fur have the incredible power to change lives. They offer companionship, teach us about resilience, and remind us of the simple joys in life."
Barry Samaha is the former style commerce editor at Esquire, where he covered all things fashion and grooming. Previously, he was an editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Surface, and WWD, along with overseeing editorial content at Tod’s Group. He has also written for The Daily Beast, Coveteur, Departures, Paper, Bustle Group, Forbes, and many more. He is based in New York City and can't seem to find enough closet space for all his shoes.
