In our book, every feline is fabulous. But let’s be honest… some cats were simply born for the spotlight. If your whiskered superstar struts like they own the red carpet (or at least the living room), it’s time to show them off!
For the next three weeks, HSCC is accepting your most show-stopping, heart-melting, scroll-stopping cat photos. Then, the community will cast their votes to crown the ultimate top cat!
The grand prize winner will receive:
📺 A feature on TV
🎨 Custom hand-drawn portraits
🏷️ Exclusive naming opportunities
🎁 And other fun surprises!
And don’t worry — the fabulous felines who place second and third will snag some pretty pawsome prizes too. Ready to let your cat claim their fame? Submit your best shot and let the voting begin!
Here's how it all works:
Each entry ($10) and vote ($1 per vote) are a donation to the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC) that supports our life-saving work. You may vote as much and as often as you like! (Example: Give $20 for 20 votes, $25 for 25 votes and $100 for 100 votes!) The photo with the most votes wins the People’s Choice, the photo with the second most votes wins the Runner-Up category, the photo with the third most votes wins the Honorable Mention category. A panel of judges from the HSCC and community supporters will select a "Judges' Pick" winner.
Donations help strengthen HSCC’s community programs and services, which include caring for thousands of animals in need each year, assisting with humane investigations, providing low-cost or free veterinary care through our Community Pet Clinic, and other surrender prevention initiatives designed to keep families and their pets together.
Prizes:
1st Place (People's Choice):
Grand prize - The winning cat will be featured on NBC5's Pet Connection (you'd better get an agent lined up) and HSCC social media and website! Additionally, the winning cat will have their name and life's moto on a Guardian Angel plaque in HSCC's lobby for one calendar year (value $250), and HSCC staff will create a stunning portrait series of six "Bad Pet Portraits" of the winning feline (value $300). And last but not least, the winning kitty will have an HSCC kitten named after them to carry on their legacy of fabulousness (priceless)!
2nd Place (People's Choice Runner-Up):
The 2nd Place winning cat will be featured on HSCC’s social media (an audience of over 30,000 followers!) and website, PLUS receive three "Bad Pet Portraits" from HSCC staff.
3rd Place (Honorable Mention):
The 3rd Place cat will be featured on HSCC’s social media and website and receive one "Bad Pet Portrait" from HSCC staff.
Judge's Pick (selected by judges from HSCC staff & community supporters):
The Judge's Pick cat will be featured on HSCC's social media and website and receive one "Bad Pet Portrait" from HSCC staff.
About Us
We at the Humane Society of Chittenden County believe that supporting, strengthening and sustaining the bonds between people and pets improves the well-being of individuals, families and communities. Our mission is to ensure that every pet has a loving home and that every pet owner has access to the resources they need to give those pets happy, healthy lives. Visit hsccvt.org for info on all of our community programs & services!
Rules & Regulations:
Eligibility:
This contest is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years or older. Employees of the Humane Society of Chittenden County are not eligible to win.
How to Enter:
All eligible entrants can enter for a chance to win by submitting a $10 donation to HSCC and photo of their feline on the submission page. Entries will be accepted between 8:00 AM (Eastern Time) on Monday, April 6, 2026 and 8:00 PM (Eastern Time) on Monday, April 27, 2026. All entries become the property of the Humane Society of Chittenden County. We will not offer entry fee refunds.
How to Vote:
$1 = 1 Vote! You may vote as often as you like. Example: Give $20 for 20 votes, $25 for 25 votes and $100 for 100 votes! The photo with the most votes wins the People’s Choice, the photo with the second most votes wins the Runner-Up category and the photo with the third most votes wins the Honorable Mention category! A panel of judges from the HSCC and community supporters will select a "Judges' Pick" winner.
The Humane Society of Chittenden County has no responsibility for lost, late, or misdirected entries. All contest entrants agree to release the Humane Society of Chittenden County and its partners and affiliates from any and all claims and liability with respect to and in any way arising from participating in this contest, accepting of any prize(s), or technical, hardware, software or other failures of any kind.
Copying or unauthorized use of any copyrighted materials, trademarks or any other intellectual property without the express written consent of its owner is strictly prohibited.
All entrants agree to comply fully with each provision in these Official Rules. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this contest or any person who does not comply with these Official Rules, will be ineligible for any prize.
By submitting an entry, the winners agree to allow use of their name, and/or photograph for promoting this contest without compensation.
PRIZES:
1st Place (People's Choice):
Grand prize -The winning cat will be featured on NBC5's Pet Connection (you'd better get an agent lined up) and HSCC's social media and website! Additionally, the winning cat will have their name and life's moto on a Guardian Angel plaque in HSCC's lobby for one calendar year (value $250), and HSCC staff will create a stunning portrait series of six "Bad Pet Portraits" of the winning feline (value $300). And last but not least, the winning kitty will have an HSCC kitten named after them to carry on their legacy of fabulousness (priceless)!
2nd Place (People's Choice Runner-Up):
The 2nd Place winning cat will be featured on HSCC’s social media (an audience of over 30,000 followers!) and website, PLUS receive three "Bad Pet Portraits" from HSCC staff.
3rd Place (Honorable Mention):
The 3rd Place cat will be featured on HSCC’s social media and website and receive one "Bad Pet Portrait" from HSCC staff.
Judge's Pick (selected by judges from HSCC staff & community supporters):
The Judge's Pick cat will be featured on HSCC's social media and website and receive one "Bad Pet Portrait" from HSCC staff.