Recognizing Staff and Volunteers at Animal Welfare Organizations Who Pair Adoptable Pets with Their Possible Matches

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National nonprofit Petco Love, in partnership with BOBS® from Skechers®, is highlighting the matchmaking skills of pet adoption coordinators at more than 4,000 animal welfare partner shelters and rescues across the country. Pairing an adoptable pet with a family or individual takes passion, expertise, and a whole lot of love.

In celebration of National Matchmaker Day on August 31^st, Petco Love and BOBS® from Skechers® recognize the lifesaving work done by adoption coordinators and shelter staff who enable lifechanging bonds every single day for pets in their care. These dedicated Matchmakers spend time with potential adopters to get insight into what they are looking for to help connect them with a dog, cat, or small pet in their shelter who fits into their lifestyle, family dynamic, and captures their heart.

While some people tune in to weekly dating television shows, adoption counselors get a front row seat to true love connections on a daily basis. These Matchmakers spend countless hours getting to know the pets staying at their shelters, as each pet has their own unique personality and needs. When community members are interested in adopting, shelter staff ask them questions to gauge which pet might be a good fit for their family. "We can take their qualities and expectations and try to find a pet that is similar to what they are looking for! Keep an open mind and ask shelter staff for some recommendations. We all love our animals so much, we would love to share more about them," said Megan, Adoption Counselor at Jacksonville Humane Society in Jacksonville, Florida.

Adoption coordinators say keeping an open mind is key for potential adopters as some of the best love matches are unexpected. "It's good to know what you're looking for but be willing to be surprised. A good pet adoption will arise when you know you're willing to do anything for the furry friend you meet," said Jose, Adoption Specialist at San Diego Humane Society. Just like finding a good human match, appearance isn't everything. "The pet who may not initially stand out to you may be the best fit for your home and the most amazing companion you could imagine. Try to look past the pet's looks and into their heart; that's where you'll find a true match," said Kayleigh, Public Information Officer at Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona.

"This year, Petco Love is celebrating our 25^th anniversary and 25 years of love. We've seen countless heartwarming connections made between adopted pets at shelters and wonderful pet parents, and their lives are forever changed for the better," said Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love. "The love an adopted pet brings into our home is unconditional, unwavering, and everlasting."

BOBS® from Skechers® is committed to supporting pet adoptions at shelters. "It's our intent to help as many pets in shelters as possible," said Jenn Clay, vice president of Corporate Communications at Skechers USA, Inc. "BOBS® from Skechers® is excited to highlight the lifesaving work of Matchmakers at shelters and rescues across the country and continue our ongoing mission to help pets who need it most."

If you cannot adopt from your local shelter, volunteers and fosters are always needed to help shelter staff continue to make love matches. Fostering saves lives. If approximately 2% of pet-owning households in the U.S. fostered one pet a year, the nation could eliminate preventable euthanasia tomorrow. Fosters are needed in a variety of ways – from one-day fostering, to a week, or a month – from kitties, puppies, adult cats and dogs, and senior pets - there is a pet fostering option for you.  

Petco Love has helped find loving homes for over 6.9 million pets and counting, in partnership with Petco and more than 4,000 organizations. To date, Petco Love has invested nearly $400 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. Learn more about Petco Love at petcolove.org and search for adoptable pets near you here.

Media Contacts: 

Crystal Bugary, Petco Love, media@petcolove.org 

About Petco Love 

Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, we've empowered animal welfare organizations by investing nearly $400 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We've helped find loving homes for more than 6.9 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide. Our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us.  Join us. Visit petcolove.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we lead every day.

About SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc.

Skechers (NYSE:SKX), The Comfort Technology Company® based in Southern California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company's collections are available in 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through skechers.com and approximately 5,200 Skechers retail stores. A Fortune 500® company, Skechers manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

About BOBS^® from Skechers^®

BOBS from Skechers' charitable collection of shoes, apparel and accessories have improved animals' lives: over the past eight years, Skechers has contributed more than $11 million to help over 2 million shelter pets, including saving more than 1.6 million rescued animals in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Japan. It all started in 2011, when Skechers launched a movement to support children impacted by natural disasters and poverty—a cause that has helped the Company donate more than 16 million new pairs of shoes to kids in more than 60 countries worldwide. To learn more about BOBS from Skechers' commitment to making a difference, visit BOBSfromSkechers.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

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SOURCE Petco Love