It’s purrfect for millions of cat lovers and comicstrip fans: Skechers’ new Garfield-themed collection within the BOBS from Skechers division. The new line for women will include an assortment of comfortable BOBS from Skechers styles with designs that feature Garfield as well as his canine sidekick, Odie. Initially available in select Skechers stores across the U.S. and Canada and online, it will expand to third-party retail partners for the back-to-school season.
“We are thrilled to be introducing Garfield—possibly the most famous cat on the planet—to our BOBS collection,” states Michael Greenberg, president. “Thanks to our efforts saving the lives of dogs and cats, pet lovers have been drawn to BOBS. And now with the help of global pop-culture icon Garfield, we’re reaching a broader fanbase and generating more important awareness for the needs of sheltered dogs and cats everywhere.”
For each pair of BOBS from Skechers sold in the U.S., 25 cents is donated to Best Friends Animal Society, the only national animal welfare organization dedicated exclusively to eradicating the euthanization of about 2 million dogs and cats every year in America’s shelters. Skechers has committed to donating at least $3 million to Best Friends for the promotion, the organization’s biggest cause marketing partnership to date.
Bringing Garfield on board aims to spread the word further and raise funds for the cause. (In case you are wondering, the tubby tabby’s licensing fee is unlimited lasagna.) Launched by cartoonist Jim Davis on June 19, 1978, the Garfield comic strip appears in 2,100 newspapers, is translated into 42 languages and is read by more than 220 million people every day. With books, TV series, feature films and more expanding the character’s reach for 40 years, the Mondays-hating feline continues to one cool cat with 16.2 million likes and 15.7 million followers on Facebook alone.
