2023 Cat Photograph Contest Winners

Our sixth photograph contest was simply as a lot enjoyable as the primary 5! We obtained almost 2,000 entries, and we beloved each one in all them. With our readers’ assist, we narrowed it down to those three winners:

Grade Prize Winner (Cat Nap): Charley

Whereas 4-month-old Charley is a candy and loving boy, he’s additionally a kitty thief in coaching. Something he can carry in his mouth (irrespective of how massive or small) finds its method to one other a part of the home. Any objects left on counter tops, tables or dressers are honest recreation. His human mother, Debra Lynn Ross, is aware of all of his hiding locations, so when one thing is lacking, she’ll go there first to search out his treasure trove of goodies. Charley is especially keen on “relocating” garments from the laundry basket.

In November 2022, Debra, who’s a change administration and inner communications marketing consultant, had adopted two kittens named Sammy and Benji. Sadly, Benji quickly died from FIP. Sammy mourned his brother for months, and Debra ultimately determined he wanted a playmate. Enter Charley, who was adopted from Animal Home Shelter in Huntley, Illinois. When Debra introduced Charley house, Sammy sniffed the service and when Charley was set free of the service, Sammy adopted him round the home. Three hours later they had been working after one another and taking part in. 5 days later, Debra caught Sammy grooming Charley, and so they haven’t left one another’s facet since.

How did she seize this shot?

“Charley had simply been adopted days earlier and was having a little bit of problem getting used to his new “sleeping” association. Nonetheless, when Sammy jumped onto the mattress and snuggled up on the blanket, Charley adopted and, after that, it was Charley’s place. I had walked into the bed room after a piece Zoom assembly and noticed Charley snoozing away, and I grabbed my telephone to take the photograph.”

Finest feline pals and siblings Frankie and Grace are 2 years outdated and like to play fetch. Whereas Frankie’s toy preferences differ, Grace’s adores little spring toys, and she or he may be very vocal when she desires to play with one, speaking to her human mother, Erin Monahan, and tilting her head and rolling over.

Frankie and Grace had been born on Erin’s sister-in-law’s farm. As quickly as Erin met them, she fell in love and introduced them house. It’s the primary time she had ever introduced house a pair of kittens collectively, and she or he’s at all times touched by their candy sibling bond.

Frankie and Grace’s family contains Erin’s son, her fianceé, 13-year-old blended breed canine Lucy (who may be very tolerant of cats and even tries to play with them from time to time) and 5-year-old cat Luna, who holds her personal when Frankie and Grace often gang as much as choose on her. Because of a incapacity, Erin needed to cease working in 2020. She says it may be lonely not having the ability to work anymore, however her 4 pets deliver her a lot pleasure and a way of function.

How did she seize this shot?

“I’m consistently snapping pictures each time I catch them trying cute. I wish to at all times have these recollections and to share the sweetness to brighten others’ days, particularly given how robust the previous few pandemic years have been.”

2^nd Place Winner (Buddies Fur Ever): Frankie & Grace

Finest feline pals and siblings Frankie and Grace are 2 years outdated and like to play fetch. Whereas Frankie’s toy preferences differ, Grace’s adores little spring toys, and she or he may be very vocal when she desires to play with one, speaking to her human mother, Erin Monahan, and tilting her head and rolling over.

Frankie and Grace had been born on Erin’s sister-in-law’s farm. As quickly as Erin met them, she fell in love and introduced them house. It’s the primary time she had ever introduced house a pair of kittens collectively, and she or he’s at all times touched by their candy sibling bond.

Frankie and Grace’s family contains Erin’s son, her fianceé, 13-year-old blended breed canine Lucy (who may be very tolerant of cats and even tries to play with them from time to time) and 5-year-old cat Luna, who holds her personal when Frankie and Grace often gang as much as choose on her. Because of a incapacity, Erin needed to cease working in 2020. She says it may be lonely not having the ability to work anymore, however her 4 pets deliver her a lot pleasure and a way of function.

How did she seize this shot?

“I’m consistently snapping pictures each time I catch them trying cute. I wish to at all times have these recollections and to share the sweetness to brighten others’ days, particularly given how robust the previous few pandemic years have been.”

3^rd Place Winner (I Suits, I Sits): Oliver

Adopted from an area humane society as a kitten, 5-year-old Oliver may be very laid-back and likes to discover. This quirky kitty doesn’t prefer to drink water from his bowl — he prefers lapping up water that’s dripping or flowing from the tap, waking up his people early within the morning when he desires a drink. And regardless of his lengthy hair, Oliver likes to lie instantly in entrance of the hearth when it’s chilly exterior.

His human dad, Ben Duecker, works in regulation enforcement and lives in Indiana together with his household. Oliver additionally shares his house together with his feline sister, Darla, who’s a couple of 12 months older. They each prefer to pester and chase one another once in a while. Darla was not a fan of Oliver when he was adopted, however they’ve discovered to get alongside.

The household enjoys visiting the Cat Café on the Kokomo Humane Society in addition to the Black Forest Cat Café in Fort Wayne, saying that they’re each nice methods to help a superb trigger targeted on rehoming cats.

How did he seize this shot?

“Oliver is a really curious cat who likes to go inside empty packing containers and baggage. This was the proper shot to point out him lounging round in a makeshift hideout.”