Seven Days relies heavily on reader input. Especially in the digital age, crowdsourcing is a great way to boost engagement, and it’s a handy tool for uncovering leads and story tips we might not otherwise find. In the past year, we’ve asked readers about their experiences with weight-loss drugs and even to propose marriage on our front cover. Some efforts are more fruitful than others, but if there’s one gambit that never fails to inspire a massive response, it’s the annual Best of the Beasts Pet Photo Contest.

This year’s contest garnered a whopping 767 entries, among the most received in the 20ish years we’ve been running it. Seven Days readers simply can’t get enough of gawking at cute pet photos — or sharing their own with thousands of strangers, apparently. And this year’s litter doesn’t disappoint, from a devilish pug named Betty to crossword-solving cover cat Hazel to Doodle the hedgehog. Read on for the rest of the winners and some others who were just too dang cute to leave out. ➆

Best of the Beasts 2026 is sponsored by:

Doggone Adorable

Winner: Poco (Human: Debra Cherson)

Doggy bliss in full bloom: This is Poco, blissing out among the yellow flowers in our Essex Town backyard last July.

Runners-Up:
Miss Molly (Human: Linda Miller)
Murphy (Human: Paige Kaleita)

Best Dressed

Winner: Betty (Human: KaLii Mehuron)

This is Betty. Betty hates Halloween but humors me with one costumed picture a year. She has minimal teeth, so she doesn’t smile much. She’s the best.

Runners-Up:
Buffy (Human: Barbara Martin)
Rutabaga (Human: Olivia Buonanno)

Purrfect Poser

Winner: Hazel (Human: Megan Lindgren)

Hazel tackles the Sunday morning crossword puzzle. Credit: Walt Emann

Runners-Up:
Izzy (Human: Vicky Nelson)
Olivia (Human: Amber Bevins)

Lady & the Tramp

Winner: Henry & Jordy (Human: David Schwartz)

Henry the dog and Jordy the cat, chilling at home.

Runners-Up:
Frida & Aminta (Human: Tia McCarthy)
Goats Fern & Gigi visit cats Pepper & Sky (Human: Mia Roethlein)

Wild Card

Winner: Doodle (Human: Robin Wagner)

Doodle the hedgehog, wearing a nasturtium crown like the queen she is!

Runners-Up:
Thorn (Human: Avi Waring)
Lady Snowball (Human: Isla Foster Hakala)

Thanks to everyone who submitted their adorable pet photos. To see all the 2026 contestants, check out the Best of the Beasts gallery page.

Pet Photo Gallery

This article appears in Animal Issue • 2026.