Bobs from Skechers & Shelter Impact
A Scholarship with Purpose
BOBS from Skechers announced Tacoma resident Sofia Santana as one of two winners of their second annual Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship, earning her a $10,000 scholarship from the Skechers Foundation. But this recognition goes far beyond financial support. Sofia’s dog print design will be featured on actual BOBS from Skechers footwear, now available throughout the US.
The scholarship program encourages young college artists to create meaningful dog and cat designs that can be applied to real BOBS from Skechers footwear. Winners receive not only the substantial scholarship but also one-on-one mentoring sessions with Skechers team members, providing invaluable industry insight and career guidance.
Local Impact, National Reach
The celebration extends beyond Sofia’s personal achievement. BOBS from Skechers awarded a $10,000 grant to Sofia’s chosen animal organization—the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, courtesy of Petco Love. A presentation was made at a special event at the Skechers store in Tukwila on June 6, where shelter cats were also available for adoption.
Adoption events like these represent Skechers’ broader commitment to animal welfare. To date, the company has contributed over $13 million through their partnership with Petco Love.
Art Inspired by Compassion
Sofia’s winning design tells a powerful story rooted in her personal commitment to animal welfare. During a summer volunteering with Movimiento Unidos Por Ellos (MUPE), an animal rehabilitation organization in Cancun, she witnessed firsthand the impact of rescue efforts on abandoned and injured animals. Her design incorporates the actual faces of several rescue animals from MUPE, creating a tribute to their journey from desperation to hope.
“I based my design on stories of rescued animals from MUPE,” Sofia explains. With permission from the organization, she transformed these real rescue stories into wearable art, hoping to inspire others to adopt, donate, and get involved with local shelters and animal welfare organizations.
Looking Forward
As Sofia continues her studies at Bellevue College with the support of her scholarship, her design will continue making an impact in the marketplace. Every pair of shoes featuring her winning pattern represents not just artistic achievement, but a commitment to animal welfare that extends from Mexico City rescue organizations to Pacific Northwest shelters.
The Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship proves that meaningful change can start with a single creative vision. In Sofia’s case, that vision—inspired by rescued animals and fueled by personal compassion—is now walking into stores and homes across America, carrying with it the potential to save lives, inspire adoptions, and build stronger communities for both pets and people.
To learn more about BOBS from Skechers’ charitable initiatives, visit skechers.com/m/bobs-charity.
For information about Petco Love, visit petcolove.org.
