The 40 Pet Comedy Photo Award Finalists Show Just How Much Animals Bring Joy To Our Lives

No matter what is going on in our lives, our pets can always be relied on to bring us joy and laughter. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, pets have been an immense source of comfort. Just ask these pet parents, who have taken photos of their pets that are now in the running for Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards winner of the year.

After previewing entries for the 2021 top prize, organizers of the Comedy Pet Photo Awards have whittled down the over 2000 submissions to 40 images vying for the 2021 crown!

“It has been a very odd 24 months for most of us, but one heartwarming life affirming and consistent presence has kept many of us relatively sane and definitely happier than we might have been: our pet (or pets!),” says Tom Sullam, Co-founder of the Comedy Pet Photo Awards.

Included among the finalists are a very naughty, nosy hen from Ireland, an elongated cow from Italy, a dog called Lucy having fun driving a boat on a lake and several epic photo-bombing pets.

Wes Pearson, CEO, Animal Friends said: “Anyone who has ever owned or shared a home with a pet knows how remarkably lucky we are to have these incredible, quirky, crazy and loving animals in our lives. This competition brings so much joy to so many animal lovers around the world and shows just how deeply they can touch our hearts – and this year’s finalists have not disappointed.”

Barbara-Ann the hen wants to sunbathe too.

Little Nuka the Weimaraner playing hide and seek Ostrich style one day at the beach in Platja del Prat de Llobregat (Catalonia).

Jeff the cat stealing the limelight from his brother Jaffa.

“According to Ozzy we need a new fence panel ASAP. He is fed up with Chester our nosy next door neighbour spying on him every time he has a meal.”

“This is my best friend Faith and her husband Alex… And their cheeky Sproodle, Hugo. Faith wanted a photograph to mark a special occasion – her first outing after shielding at home for 14 months,” says Chloe Beck. “Hugo jumped into the frame at just the right moment! He’s a lockdown pup, so he hasn’t quite gotten used to the excitement of being around other people yet.

Paint me like one of your French girls! “Paddy, who is not allowed on the sofa but thinks he is. Does he care? Nope,” says Anna Chambers.

“Our granddaughter gave the command to sit. Beau is very obedient.”

“He is an model of cat.” Kenichi Marinaga just focuses his DSLR and his cat strikes a pose.

This 3-year-old Pomeranian is very calm, loves treats and smiles.

“Rayna is a rescue dog, who spent the first years of her life fending for herself on the streets of Romania,” writes Charlotte Fenwick. “We rescued her in 2019, and are entertained by her quirky ways every day. Everyone who meets Rayna falls in love with her, and we think her ears have a lot to do with that!”

Both dogs are former shelter dogs from Romania. The big one is called Milly and visibly enjoys the “massage” from little Holly.

“I was busy playing with my dog on the beach and this dog came to play. I liked the shapes he was making in the air.”

Star and Will trying to get their ball back from one of the Crosby statues in the UK.

“Two of the morning regulars at the dog park are Gary (hound mix with the jacket) and Kona – who is one of the most chill dogs ever. Got this picture of Gary finding a warm place to sit on this cold winter’s day.”

“This is my very mischievous Bengal cat, Bailey! On this particular day I was trying to put away the washing but he would do whatever it took to get those all important belly rubs!”

“This is Ted the Poodle. I’m pretty sure he has never seen the film but the amount of people who comment that he looks like Falkor from Never ending story would suggest he may be a fan.”

“This is Leia. As you can see, she definitely love playing with all the leaves in autumn – and yes it was really tricky to take this picture because you never know where the dog will act and what it is going to do next.”

“This is Lucy! While boating on our local lake in Idaho Lucy decided to take the wheel and she did great!”

“Our kitten Lola just loves her brother Snoopy so much she doesn’t leave him alone!”

“When I go back home, and my cat is already watching the new Netflix series without me!”

“Ollie, highly focused on what else he can learn from a dog behaviourist’s website (which, as you can see, features a mugshot of him). While Ollie is committed to ongoing personal development, he’s not quite mastered how to use the mouse , but – being a very smart Border Collie – that’s just a matter of time.”

“This photo was taken by accident during the photography of my ex-girlfriend with her beloved mare. For this cheerful moment, I thank the fly that sat on the horse’s nose and he instinctively shook his head. And so it seems that the humor between a horse and a woman is definitely not missing.”

“Savi (the cat) checks out all aspects of the Christmas decorations.”

“This is Albie our kitten, he is full of energy and fun but as you’ll see from the photo he also takes some time out to relax and recharge his batteries.”

“It’s that time of day again! Little Blue enjoys it almost as much as me.”

Freddie (with the brown nose) and Alison.

This is how Vincent the cat likes to sit.

“Losing the opportunity to play with my human band mates during lockdown, Flint my rescue dog soon taught me that we didn’t just have sharp bones in common, but musical ones too,” writes Luke O’Brien. “He soon became the perfect substitute for a collaborative stomp up at home, so much so that we felt we deserved our own band name (Muttford and Chum). With my camera set up remotely during this shoot, I think it’s fair to say that the image is proof that his conviction as a performer matches my own – well, we were covering ‘treats and tugs and dinner bowls’ by Ian Puli and the Boneheads.”

“Someone in my parents’ neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas, put in a peep hole for their terrier so it can look through the fence! I love passing by and seeing its adorable face peering at me,” writes photographer Millie Kerr.

Bailey the dog was so excited to see her friends, she couldn’t sit still for a photo.

Optical illusion or gene mutation?!

“Cutie and Speedy are 2 chicks hatched from eggs placed in an incubator at home in August 2020. They spent their first few weeks indoors. On the photo they are just over 2 weeks old. They were curious about everything. This is the day they discovered their own shadow. It was hilarious to see them wondering and exploring that ‘dark thing’ that was moving with them!”

Siba’s puppy cuddles with his beloved cat.

A cat becomes a squatter. “Our cat Simba occupying the owl box.”

Grace wins gold in the Rythmic Gymnastics! “Grace was a feral kitten and this was one of the games I played with her to help get her used to human company.”

While playing with bubbles in the garden, a Labrador puppy looks like he may have swallowed one!

“I like to visit the stable horses before I begin my hike at the State Park…this is the reply I received when I said Good Morning,” writes Mary Ellis.

The annual competition helps raise funds for animal charities, supporting them in their life-saving work.

One of this year’s donation recipients is Animal Support Angels. Founder-Trustee Amanda Broome says, “The amazing donation from the competition has been an absolute lifeline for the charity and means that we can continue to help sick, stray and unwanted animals in need, bringing them into safety and getting them urgent vet assistance. This funding will allow us to really make a difference.”

Winners will be announced in November. Visit the Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards to find out more about the competition.