Public voting is now open for the fourth annual Cutest Pets on Parliament Hill (CPOPH) photo contest.

Hosted by The Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), this year’s contest set a record with 142 entries from Parliamentarians, staff, Press Gallery members, and others connected to the Hill across Canada.

Due to fierce competition, the finalist pool expanded from 10 to 15 in the dog and cat categories. Finalists will compete in three categories: Cutest Dog, Cutest Cat, and Cutest Other Pet, along with a new bonus category: Best Dressed Pet.

“Cutest Pets on Parliament Hill has really become a much-anticipated annual highlight for us,” says Dr. Catherine Filejski, CAHI president and CEO. “It’s a chance to celebrate the incredible bond between people and their pets, and to bring a sense of bi-partisan fun and connection to Parliament Hill that resonates far beyond Ottawa.”

A diverse panel of judges, including previous winners and celebrity judges such as Storm the Weather Dog, reviewed numerous entries.

Voting for finalists is open at the CAHI website, and the winners will be announced at the “Pet Gala” on June 2 in Ottawa.