2023 Photo Contest Winners

Our sixth photo contest was just as much fun as the first five! We received nearly 2,000 entries, and we loved looking at each and every one of them. With our readers’ help, we narrowed it down to these three winners:

Grade Prize Winner (Cat Nap): Charley

While 4-month-old Charley is a sweet and loving boy, he’s also a kitty thief in training. Anything he can carry in his mouth (no matter how big or small) finds its way to another part of the house. Any items left on countertops, tables or dressers are fair game. His human mom, Debra Lynn Ross, knows all of his hiding places, so when something is missing, she’ll go there first to find his treasure trove of goodies. Charley is particularly fond of “relocating” clothes from the laundry basket.

In November 2022, Debra, who is a change management and internal communications consultant, had adopted two kittens named Sammy and Benji. Sadly, Benji soon died from FIP. Sammy mourned his brother for months, and Debra eventually decided he needed a playmate. Enter Charley, who was adopted from Animal House Shelter in Huntley, Illinois. When Debra brought Charley home, Sammy sniffed the carrier and when Charley was let out of the carrier, Sammy followed him around the house. Three hours later they were running after each other and playing. Five days later, Debra caught Sammy grooming Charley, and they haven’t left each other’s side since.

How did she capture this shot?

“Charley had just been adopted days earlier and was having a bit of difficulty getting used to his new “sleeping” arrangement. However, when Sammy jumped onto the bed and snuggled up on the blanket, Charley followed and, after that, it was Charley’s place. I had walked into the bedroom after a work Zoom meeting and saw Charley snoozing away, and I grabbed my phone to take the photo.”

Best feline friends and siblings Frankie and Grace are 2 years old and love to play fetch. While Frankie’s toy preferences vary, Grace’s adores little spring toys, and she is very vocal when she wants to play with one, talking to her human mom, Erin Monahan, and tilting her head and rolling over.

Frankie and Grace were born on Erin’s sister-in-law’s farm. As soon as Erin met them, she fell in love and brought them home. It’s the first time she had ever brought home a pair of kittens together, and she’s always touched by their sweet sibling bond.

Frankie and Grace’s household includes Erin’s son, her fianceé, 13-year-old mixed breed dog Lucy (who is very tolerant of cats and even tries to play with them now and then) and 5-year-old cat Luna, who holds her own when Frankie and Grace occasionally gang up to pick on her. Due to a disability, Erin had to stop working in 2020. She says it can be lonely not being able to work anymore, but her four pets bring her much joy and a sense of purpose.

How did she capture this shot?

“I am constantly snapping photos every time I catch them looking cute. I want to always have these memories and to share the sweetness to brighten others’ days, especially given how tough the past few pandemic years have been.”

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

Best feline friends and siblings Frankie and Grace are 2 years old and love to play fetch. While Frankie’s toy preferences vary, Grace’s adores little spring toys, and she is very vocal when she wants to play with one, talking to her human mom, Erin Monahan, and tilting her head and rolling over.

Frankie and Grace were born on Erin’s sister-in-law’s farm. As soon as Erin met them, she fell in love and brought them home. It’s the first time she had ever brought home a pair of kittens together, and she’s always touched by their sweet sibling bond.

Frankie and Grace’s household includes Erin’s son, her fianceé, 13-year-old mixed breed dog Lucy (who is very tolerant of cats and even tries to play with them now and then) and 5-year-old cat Luna, who holds her own when Frankie and Grace occasionally gang up to pick on her. Due to a disability, Erin had to stop working in 2020. She says it can be lonely not being able to work anymore, but her four pets bring her much joy and a sense of purpose.

How did she capture this shot?

“I am constantly snapping photos every time I catch them looking cute. I want to always have these memories and to share the sweetness to brighten others’ days, especially given how tough the past few pandemic years have been.”

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

Adopted from a local humane society as a kitten, 5-year-old Oliver is very laid-back and loves to explore. This quirky kitty doesn’t like to drink water from his bowl — he prefers lapping up water that’s dripping or flowing from the faucet, waking up his humans early in the morning when he wants a drink. And despite his long hair, Oliver loves to lie directly in front of the fireplace when it’s cold outside.

His human dad, Ben Duecker, works in law enforcement and lives in Indiana with his family. Oliver also shares his home with his feline sister, Darla, who is about a year older. They both like to pester and chase each other from time to time. Darla was not a fan of Oliver when he was adopted, but they’ve learned to get along.

The family enjoys visiting the Cat Café at the Kokomo Humane Society as well as the Black Forest Cat Café in Fort Wayne, saying that they are both great ways to support a good cause focused on rehoming cats.

How did he capture this shot?

“Oliver is a very curious cat who loves to go inside empty boxes and bags. This was the perfect shot to show him lounging around in a makeshift hideout.”