Pet Adoption Event at the LA County Carson/Gardena Animal Care Center on October 7

In a unique collaboration, national nonprofit organization Petco Love is teaming up with Dogs Playing for Life and BOBS from Skechers™ for National Playgroup Rockstars Adoption events at 40+ animal shelters across the country, including the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC). Held on October 7 in the heart of Rocktober, the adoption events will showcase highly social dogs, known as "Playgroup Rockstars," at animal shelters while they are playing harmoniously in groups so potential adopters can see their personalities shine.

DACC's Carson/Gardena Animal Care Center will be participating in this event and adoption fees will be waived for all dogs at the Carson/Gardena Animal Care Center on this day. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 216 W. Victoria Street in Gardena, California. Media is invited to attend a 'meet and greet' to interview representatives and see these dogs play.

This one-of-a-kind adoption event is designed to find loving homes for these amazing dogs while promoting the importance of playgroups. Dogs Playing for Life created the unique playgroup shelter dog enrichment program operating with the simple philosophy of "Every Dog, Every Day, Let Them Play!" Their goal – to ensure shelter dogs positively experience life at an animal shelter-- while providing shelter personnel the information needed to help those dogs find new loving homes.

For people who already have a dog, the Playgroup Rockstars Adoption Event allows them to see these dogs in action and find that perfect match for their existing pet. For those considering adopting two dogs, the teams on the ground can help adopters find the perfect pair.

"We are grateful to Petco Love, Dogs Playing for Life, and BOBS from Sketchers for making this event happen," said Marcia Mayeda, DACC Director. "Showing the public the amazing dogs we have for adoption, particularly as they show their fun and loving personalities in playgroups, will help find loving homes for our dogs."

"Petco Love is so proud to showcase the incredible impact of playgroups on the lives of shelter dogs," said Petco Love President, Susanne Kogut. "Any pet parent who has more than one dog can tell you that dogs love to play together. Witnessing this play is not only enjoyable for the pet parent but highly beneficial physically and mentally for the dogs. We look forward to celebrating the bonds formed between these Playgroup Rockstars and their new families."

Dogs Playing for Life programming takes place at more than 350 shelters across the U.S. Founder and CEO, Aimee Sadler, began developing the program in 1998, when she observed that large dogs at shelters often never left their kennels due to staffing and volunteer limitations. The nonprofit organization trains animal shelter personnel to assess and integrate dogs into large-dog playgroups properly as a normal part of shelter life. "Events like Playgroup Rockstars allow dogs to have fun with each other and showcase their playful nature and true personalities. When people visit the shelter and see the dogs in action, they can better picture these dogs as part of their family," said Sadler.

For a list of shelters hosting Playgroup Rockstars Adoption Events on October 7, and for more information on the events, visit PlaygroupRockstars.com.

About the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC)

DACC is one of the largest animal care and control agencies in the nation, operating seven animal care centers and providing services to more than three million residents and their pets. DACC operates under the nationally recognized Socially Conscious Sheltering model to ensure the best possible outcomes for animals and the community. As a community resource center for pets and owners, DACC protects people and animals from harm, provides care for lost and unwanted animals, reunites lost pets with their families, and strives every day to move closer to its goal of finding a loving home for every adoptable pet that comes through its doors. To learn more about DACC, the resources DACC provides, and view its animals, visit http://www.animalcare.lacounty.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X. To support DACC's efforts, please donate to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation at http://www.lacountyanimals.org. To learn more about Socially Conscious Sheltering, visit https://scsheltering.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 $370 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We've helped find loving homes for more than 6.7 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 Dogs Playing for Life

Founded in 2015, Dogs Playing for Life has been redefining the meaning and importance of quality of life for all sheltered dogs by improving their experience through playgroups and individualized training, resulting in urgent and responsible lifesaving. Since inception, DPFL has introduced playgroups to 356 shelters and counting, who realize an average 6% increase in lifesaving and 38% decrease in length of stay for dogs. Shelters frequently describe DPFL programming as "game changing," "transformational," and "the most important thing to happen for shelter dogs." To find out more, visit dogsplayingforlife.com/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

About SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc.

Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX), a Fortune 500® 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. Collections from The Comfort Technology Company™ are available in over 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through digital stores and over 4,700 Company- and third-party-owned physical retail stores. The Company 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 $10 million to help 1.9 million shelter pets, including saving more than 1.4 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.