This Year's Funniest-Looking Pets Are Here

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In bleak times, funny-looking animals are worth their weight in gold. So it’s with great pleasure that Gizmodo presents the finalists from this year’s Comedy Pet Photography Awards.

The contest was founded by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam and is a spinoff of their earlier project, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. In collaboration with Animal Friends Pet Insurance, the organization will also donate over $30,000 to three animal charities this year, while the top photographer will receive a cash prize of over $2,000 and an extra $5,000 to donate to their charity of choice.

The shortlist in 2022 features 26 photos and 4 videos selected from hundreds of entries submitted in nearly 70 countries. The final winners—which will include an entry voted on by the public—will be announced this September.

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“Nilo’s Love for Water”

Nilo, seen here as a 10-month-old pup, almost didn’t survive getting hit by a car at a very young age. But he’s since recovered and has now discovered the joys of running head-first through sprinkled water.

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“Boom Boom”

These cats in Japan are engaging in the forbidden feline art of mind-melding.

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“I’m not full yet!”

Lissi, who has since gone over the rainbow bridge, is here portraying the natural state of cathood: displeased with their humans.

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“Oh I do like a scratch and tickle”

There’s something about getting scratched in just the right place to light up the rest of your day.

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“Now, how do I upload my pics?”

Is this an allegory for how the relentless presence of technology drives us to self-destruction? Or an example of why we should never trust our cats to be left to their own devices?

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“Chauffeur Dog”

There’s simply no way this driver would receive anything less than five stars for their service.

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“Too desperate”

Even cats can be a little too clingy at times.

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“Shakin hedgehog”

This may look like the latest Marvel villain, but it’s actually Max the dog fresh off a jaunty swim in the lake.

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“Jack the Cat stuck in the hedge”

Uhhhh, a little help here?

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“Revenge of the Tennis Ball”

It was fated that one day, the tennis ball would return to seek vengeance for the careless slobber spewed onto it by countless canines. Sadly, Star was ill-prepared for its arrival.

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“Ukiyo-e”

The life of a domestic cat is filled with arduous work and sacrifice—and sometimes a little fine art.

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“Dave and Dudley”

Like so many of us, Dave and Dudley let their hair grow out during the early days of the pandemic. But they still pull it off with style.

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“Goofy Bun”

Fibunacci the rabbit is many things, but unkempt is not one of them. While it may be hard to tell what he’s up to at first glance, he’s actually just cleaning his ears.

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“Dashing through the snow”

Carter was once close to being euthanized before being rescued by his owners. But now, he gets to live life to the fullest, which includes diving right into the snow.

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“Purr-etty Pleeeaase!”

Rosie the cat isn’t above manipulating your emotions to get what she wants.

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“Mine, not yours!”

Benji will stop at nothing to get his paws on the promised treats before his brother Doug can.

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“I’m talking to you”

German photographer Stefan Brusius snapped a candid shot of this goose right after she strutted across a meadow, ate some greens, and then began to scold him.

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“Werewolf 2.0"

Even half-man, half-dog hybrids need some time in the shade to rest.

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“OMG What Is That”

It takes a lot for CK to be surprised these days, but they make the most of their astonishment.

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“Happy Horses”

Czech photographer Radim Filipek took this snapshot of a happy horse and her 3-day-old son Monty. But it could also be you and your friends laughing far too hard at an inside joke that you’ve long since forgotten the origins of.

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“Hello Penny!”

Penny’s not mad that you snuck off to go to the alcohol party, she’s just disappointed.

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“Pillow”

Cats and dogs may have a reputation for shared enmity, but these two best friends only see a good place to nap on.

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“Remember Muttley”

There are truly few things more precious on this earth than a smiling dog.

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“Grandmistress Candy”

Tragically, Candy the tabby cat lost this year’s grand finals match when she inexplicably began knocking every piece down onto the floor while staring intently into her owner’s eyes, as if daring them to stop her.

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“Hitching a lift!”

Typically, it’s humans using dogs to navigate through a snowy landscape. But Oscar was able to turn the tables on his owner Bowen as the boy grabbed a piece of plastic to slide down the hill.

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“Smokin’ Alpaca”

Joe Camel, eat your heart out.

This Year's Funniest-Looking Pets Are Here

Chess-playing cats, water-loving dogs, and happy horses are among the finalists of the 2022 Comedy Pet Photography Awards.

“Nilo’s Love for Water”

“Nilo’s Love for Water”

“Boom Boom”

“Boom Boom”

“I’m not full yet!”

“I’m not full yet!”

“Oh I do like a scratch and tickle”

“Oh I do like a scratch and tickle”

“Now, how do I upload my pics?”

“Now, how do I upload my pics?”

“Chauffeur Dog”

“Chauffeur Dog”

“Too desperate”

“Too desperate”

“Shakin hedgehog”

“Shakin hedgehog”

“Jack the Cat stuck in the hedge”

“Jack the Cat stuck in the hedge”

“Revenge of the Tennis Ball”

“Revenge of the Tennis Ball”

“Ukiyo-e”

“Ukiyo-e”

“Dave and Dudley”

“Dave and Dudley”

“Goofy Bun”

“Goofy Bun”

“Dashing through the snow”

“Dashing through the snow”

“Purr-etty Pleeeaase!”

“Purr-etty Pleeeaase!”

“Mine, not yours!”

“Mine, not yours!”

“I’m talking to you”

“I’m talking to you”

“Werewolf 2.0"

“Werewolf 2.0"

“OMG What Is That”

“OMG What Is That”

“Happy Horses”

“Happy Horses”

“Hello Penny!”

“Hello Penny!”

“Pillow”

“Pillow”

“Remember Muttley”

“Remember Muttley”

“Grandmistress Candy”

“Grandmistress Candy”

“Hitching a lift!”

“Hitching a lift!”

“Smokin’ Alpaca”

“Smokin’ Alpaca”