Slideshow: Winners of the 2022 Comedy Pet Photo Awards

Winners of the 2022 Comedy Pet Photo Awards

Today, the winners and highly commended entries were announced for the 2022 Comedy Pet Photo Awards. Over 2,000 images were submitted from pet and animal lovers. Kenichi Morinaga, from Japan, received the OVERALL WINNER title plus as cash prize of £2,000 for his photo of two cats who look like they’re headless.

‘Suddenly, I became fascinated by the antics of cats out in the streets and had to photograph them,’ Morinaga explains of his inspiration while backpacking in Europe. ‘When I returned to Japan, I continued to seek them out, they really cheer me up, especially after the last two years of the pandemic–they are so funny, even when they are doing something serious. This amazing competition reminded me that such gestures from all animals are recognized as being hilarious, cute, and heart – warming not only in Japan but all over the world.’

The organizers of the Comedy Pet Photo Awards donated £5,000 to Animal Friends Pet Insurance and will donate another £5,000 to an animal charity of Morinaga’s choice as part of his reward for winning the competition. The entire gallery can be viewed on their website.

OVERALL WINNER & Cat Category Winner: ‘Boom Boom’ by Kenichi Morinaga

Image Description and Location: Two cats with no head, Japan

Artist Statement: Cats are bumped on the wall suddenly. It was like a cartoon bamped boom boom. Such a funny moment.

Dog Category – Our Best Friends: ‘Nilo’s Love for Water’ by Jose Bayon

Image Description and Location: Dog jumping around in the garden, Spain

Artist Statement: Nilo is an adopted puppy about 10 months old. He was hit by a car and was barely saved. Now recovered, he has just discovered water for the first time. His capers and pirouettes show his passion for water. Love at first sight.

The Mighty Horse Category: ‘Happy Horses’ by Radim Filipek

Image Description: A mare and foal, Czech Republic

Artist Statement: Happy mother and her 3 day old son Monty.

All Other Creatures Category: ‘Smokin’ Alpaca’ by Stefan Brusius

Image Description and Location: Alpaca, Germany

Artist Statement: He looks like he is smoking a cigar.

Junior Category: ‘Jack the Cat Stuck in the Hedge’ by Freya Sharpe

Image Description and Location: Cat high up in a hedge, Loughborough, UK

Artist Statement: Freya absolutely loves animals and has such a good bond with Jack. I know that she will be ecstatic about winning the Junior category of the competition. Jack is a real character and gives us lots of laughs!We had gone out for the day and came home to find our kitten Jack had got stuck in the hedge!

Pets Who Look Like Their Owner’s Category: ‘Dave and Dudley’ by Judy Nussenblatt

Image Description and Location: Dog with owner, USA

Artist Statement: This is my friend, David, and his dog Dudley. During the early days of Covid, David and I took advantage of a beautiful day and we were out shooting pictures. Dudley was so excited when we got back that he threw his front paws around David’s shoulders and I snapped this picture. They both look like they could use a good haircut, but it was Covid….so who cares….

People’s Choice Award: ‘Dashing through the Snow’ by Marko Jovanovic

Image Description and Location: Dog dashing through the snow, USA

Artist Statement: Carter was on a Euth list in California. We flew from Chicago to Cali rescue him. This was his first time experiencing snow. As you can see he could believe was missing out all these years!

Comedy Pet Team Favorite Award: ‘Chauffeur Dog’ by Mehmet Aslan

Image Description and Location: Dog in the front seat of a car, Turkey

Artist Statement: This is what I saw when I stopped at the traffic lights. At first I thought the dog was really driving!

Highly Commended: ‘OMG What is That’ by Beth Noble

Image Description and Location: Cat, Heddon on the wall, UK

Artist Statement: CK shows his surprised face.

Highly Commended: ‘Werewolf 2.0’ by Karl Goldhamer

Image Description and Location: Dog, Germany

Artist Statement: Even a werewolf needs to relax sometimes…

Highly Commended: ‘Now, How do I Upload my Pics?’ by Kenichi Morinaga

Image Description and Location: Cat, Japan

Artist Statement: I gotta smart phone so I want to upload my pics for my SNS. But I don’t know how to use it. Please someone tell me how to use it.

Highly Commended: ‘Mine, Not Yours!’ by Lucy Sellors-Duval

Image Description and Location: Dogs, Plymouth, UK

Artist Statement: Benji was determined to be the one to get all the yummy treats during his photo shoot even if it meant stopping his older brother Doug.

Highly Commended: ‘Purr-etty Pleeeaase!’ by Sarah Fiona Helme

Image Description and Location: Cat, South Lanarkshire, UK

Artist Statement: Rosie was helping me in the greenhouse and decided to try, in her most engaging way, (and with the help of the wheelbarrow to stand on), to persuade me into giving her some of her favorite treats – which, being a lowly cat servant with no willpower, I did!