Two college students designed Skechers shoes to help save shelter pets

Plenty of brands release pet-themed products, but Skechers goes a step further.

Just in time for National Pet Month, Bobs from Skechers has released two limited-edition styles designed to support animals in need—all while adding a playful, pet-inspired twist to your everyday wardrobe.

Between the real student stories, rescue-inspired designs and meaningful donations behind each purchase, these sneakers deliver on both style and substance.

A Bobs from Skechers sneaker collection designed to give back

The styles are part of Skechers’ Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship, a program that empowers college students to turn their love for animals into wearable designs. Unlike typical novelty prints, these designs are rooted in real-life connections with animals.

The scholarship program itself is built around storytelling—students are encouraged to submit designs inspired by their experiences with rescue pets, helping raise awareness through creativity.

This year’s winners—Elle Dalby of Penn State and Anelya Sapar of the School of Visual Arts—each received a $10,000 scholarship and mentorship, with their designs now featured on sneakers available nationwide.

Shop the two new shoes in the Bobs B Cute 2.0 lineup:

Bobs B Cute 2.0 - Hound Huggers

Bobs B Cute 2.0 - Hound Huggers

A colorful dog-themed print set on a green canvas. Usually $60, you can buy one pair of Skechers shoes and get the second for 50% off right now. Shop Hound Huggers shoes

Bobs B Cute 2.0 - Kitten Kicks

Bobs B Cute 2.0 - Kitten Kicks

A cozy cat-inspired design featuring playful kittens on a brown base. Usually $60, you can buy one pair of Skechers shoes and get the second for 50% off right now. Shop Kitten Kicks shoes

Meet the students behind the designs

What makes these sneakers even more special is the personal inspiration behind them.

• Anelya Sapar created her feline design for Kitten Kicks after rescuing stray cats and volunteering at shelters, experiences that deeply shaped her artistic vision.
• Elle Dalby drew from her lifelong connection to rescue dogs for her Hound Huggers, incorporating the pets she and her family adopted into her vibrant canine print.

How Skechers is helping animals this National Pet Month

The sneakers are just one part of a larger effort. To celebrate National Pet Month, Skechers is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society and donating $500,000 to support shelter pets and help them find homes. The initiative also includes:

• Pet adoption events hosted in communities across the U.S.
• In-store fundraising campaigns through register roundups
• Ongoing support for animal welfare programs nationwide

Since launching its Bobs charitable movement, Skechers has contributed more than $14 million to animal organizations, helping support over 2 million shelter pets worldwide.

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