2023 Cat Photo Contest Winners

Our sixth photograph contest was simply as a lot enjoyable as the primary 5! We acquired almost 2,000 entries, and we liked taking a look at every considered one of 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 large or small) finds its technique to one other a part of the home. Any gadgets left on counter tops, tables or dressers are honest sport. 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 seek 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 residence, 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 operating after one another and taking part in. 5 days later, Debra caught Sammy grooming Charley, and so they haven’t left one another’s aspect since.

How did she seize this shot?

“Charley had simply been adopted days earlier and was having a little bit of issue getting used to his new “sleeping” association. Nevertheless, 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 associates and siblings Frankie and Grace are 2 years previous and like to play fetch. Whereas Frankie’s toy preferences fluctuate, Grace’s adores little spring toys, and he or she could be very vocal when she needs 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 residence. It’s the primary time she had ever introduced residence a pair of kittens collectively, and he or she’s at all times touched by their candy sibling bond.

Frankie and Grace’s family consists of Erin’s son, her fianceé, 13-year-old combined breed canine Lucy (who could be very tolerant of cats and even tries to play with them at times) and 5-year-old cat Luna, who holds her personal when Frankie and Grace sometimes gang as much as choose on her. Resulting from 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 convey her a lot pleasure and a way of objective.

How did she seize this shot?

“I’m consistently snapping photographs each time I catch them trying cute. I need 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 (Associates Fur Ever): Frankie & Grace

Finest feline associates and siblings Frankie and Grace are 2 years previous and like to play fetch. Whereas Frankie’s toy preferences fluctuate, Grace’s adores little spring toys, and he or she could be very vocal when she needs 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 residence. It’s the primary time she had ever introduced residence a pair of kittens collectively, and he or she’s at all times touched by their candy sibling bond.

Frankie and Grace’s family consists of Erin’s son, her fianceé, 13-year-old combined breed canine Lucy (who could be very tolerant of cats and even tries to play with them at times) and 5-year-old cat Luna, who holds her personal when Frankie and Grace sometimes gang as much as choose on her. Resulting from 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 convey her a lot pleasure and a way of objective.

How did she seize this shot?

“I’m consistently snapping photographs each time I catch them trying cute. I need 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 could be very laid-back and likes to discover. This quirky kitty doesn’t wish 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 needs a drink. And regardless of his lengthy hair, Oliver likes to lie straight in entrance of the fireside when it’s chilly outdoors.

His human dad, Ben Duecker, works in legislation enforcement and lives in Indiana together with his household. Oliver additionally shares his residence together with his feline sister, Darla, who’s a few yr older. They each wish to pester and chase one another now and again. Darla was not a fan of Oliver when he was adopted, however they’ve realized 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 assist a great trigger targeted on rehoming cats.

How did he seize this shot?

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