In honor of Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month, this June we put out a call for the most awesome photos of…who else?...the irresistible, inimitable feline. We were overwhelmed when thousands of entries came rolling in from all across the country—and although our judges had a hard time selecting the best of the best, we are proud to announce the winners here.
Congratulations to the top cats—and a big thank you to all who participated.
Photo by: Teresa Anderson
My cat’s name is Wilson. He is a 5 1/2-year-old domestic shorthair, and he is very loving and people-oriented. He was adopted from a private owner in Erie, PA.
Photo by: Mary Katherine Carlson
Dear ASPCA,
My name is Versace, but most everyone knows me as Mr. Pretty of Union City. I am a three-year-old neutered domestic medium-hair fine feline! My mom literally found me on the streets of Union City at about 11 months of age. I was rather dirty and weighed less than six pounds, but I hopped into her bag and went home with her. I am now a white-and-red boy, all of 16 pounds, and only go outside when I am on my harness. I love to walk on my leash, and I love dogs and playing fetch! Thank you for considering me for your contest winner.
Love,
Mr. Pretty of Union City
Photo by: Crystal Castorena
Gobbles was a stray cat in my apartment complex who adopted me.
Photo by: Vivien Chan
This is Dusty, a domestic shorthair kitten from an Oakland animal shelter.
Photo by: Allison Margaret
This is a picture of my beautiful little girl, Gracie. I adopted her as a kitten from the New Rochelle Humane Society on July 14, 2004. The day I adopted her she looked pretty badly beaten up. Her eye had just been surgically removed, but she had the sweetest, yet saddest little face I had ever seen. It was love at first sight! She has blossomed into a beautiful furry “supermodel.” She loves to snuggle and play fetch with her mouse toys, and makes the cutest little barking sounds (due to her previous life on the streets, she had some damage to her vocal chords). She also loves to swim…yes, swim! I found out the hard way when one day I walked into my bathroom and saw her inside the toilet splashing around! Needless to say, the toilet seat now remains closed, but that doesn’t stop her from dancing in the kitchen sink. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t make me laugh and smile! She is truly a blessing.
Photo by: Lauren Ross
Kitties Larry, left, and Benny are three-year-old brothers. A friend found them and their other siblings in an alley without their mother; they were only about four weeks old. She took care of them until they were about eight weeks, and found good homes for them all. Benny started this habit of perching on the bathroom door, and it didn’t take long for Larry to join him.
Photo by: Dana Rucinski
From left to right are Fatty Tum Tum, Calico, and Little Pumpkin. I am in the army and I “inherited” them on our doorstep while I was stationed in Afghanistan in 2004. They were only four weeks old and had lost their mother. We had to hide them in our back room where we bottle fed them with a Visine eye dropper until they were old enough to wreak havoc throughout the office. Since there is virtually no pet care in Afghanistan and they would be assured certain death if we left them behind, we managed to get them out of Afghanistan via Dubai, Amsterdam, and finally to Virginia…which is no easy trick from the Third World! Their brother, Neal, jumped off the chair before I took this shot of them yawning, although I tell everyone they were just laughing at me after I threatened to send them back to Afghanistan for their mischief!
Photo by: Michele Slenker
CrackerJack is 1 1/2 years old, and was adopted as a kitten from the York County SPCA. He is extremely affectionate, and loves to watch birds from our sunroom.
Photo by: MG Wells
Poncho chillin’!