Legends Board

Hot on the trail: Our current top contenders.

Browse the Voting groups!

Qualifying Round Voting 16 MAR - 30 MAR.
Vote, share and make sure your pet makes it to the next round!
The top 50% of entries in each group all progress to the next round.
You need at least 1 vote to qualify.

About the Contest

Ready to make your pet famous?

Virginia Living’s Cutest Pet Photo Contest is back—and it’s bigger, cuter, and more brag-worthy than ever. We’re celebrating Virginia’s most lovable companions across four equally adorable categories:

• Top Dog

• Coolest Cat

• Farm Friend

• Adorable Other

From couch-loving pups to barnyard besties and everything in between, if your pet steals hearts, this is their moment.

What Do the Winners Get? Oh… Just Everything.

This year, the stakes—and the prizes—are bigger than ever.

Each Cutest Pet 2026 category winner—Top Dog, Coolest Cat, Farm Friend, and Adorable Other—will receive premium recognition, including a featured spotlight in the May/June issue of Virginia Living and a custom faux magazine cover. Winners will also receive an experience-forward prize package that takes the celebration well beyond the page.

Each Cutest Pet 2026 category winner takes home an unforgettable prize package, including:

A featured spotlight in Virginia Living magazine (May/June issue)
Shout-outs on VirginiaLiving.com & across social media
A custom faux Virginia Living magazine cover starring your pet
Official Cutest Pet 2026 Winner Badges for bragging rights

A Virginia Beach SPCA & Virginia Living merch bundle with pet goodies

A professional pet portrait session with Beloved Pet & Equine Photography

A pet-friendly Charlottesville getaway at Kimpton The Forum Hotel
– One-night stay
– Food & beverage credit for two
– Complimentary parking
– Special pet amenities

A handcrafted, Virginia-made ceramic pet bowl from Emerson Creek Pottery

Big prizes. Big bragging rights. Big-time pet fame.

Important Dates

• Submissions: February 2 – March 15
• Voting: March 16 – April 17

Submit your pet now!   Full Contest Rules

Questions? Email us at Editors@CapeFear.com.

How It Works

• Submitting is free

• Everyone gets one free vote per day

• Want to boost your favorite? Additional votes can be purchased

A portion of proceeds from paid votes benefits the Virginia Beach SPCA, supporting lifesaving care, adoption programs, and community outreach across the region.

In Partnership With:

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