Do you have the cutest dog or cat in Illinois? Enter them in our photo contest
The News-Democrat is searching for the cutest dog and cat in Illinois, and you can submit a photo of your pet to be included in our contest.
Entries for dogs and cats will be separated into two polls, and you’re welcome to show off your pet’s Halloween costume, though it’s not required.
Submit your pet’s photo using this Google Form and tell us a little about your furry friend. You can also email all the required information to mhoward@bnd.com.
The deadline to submit pets for our polls has been extended through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20. Voting for the first round will begin Wednesday, Oct. 22 and last until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.
Round two of voting will start Monday, Oct. 27 and end at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
If we get fewer than five submissions for dogs or cats, there will be only one round of voting, which will end at 11:59 p.m. Oct. 29. We’ll announce the winners Monday, Nov. 3.
Any reader can submit their dog or cat for the contest. If you are entering multiple pets, please submit them individually. We are not able to include late entries.
Along with your pet’s photo and name, we will also ask for contact information and some other basic information, including a fun fact about your furry friend.
Once voting opens, readers may vote as many times as they wish. Votes will reset after each round.
A note: this poll will not be scientific — it’s just for fun!
The winner of our contest will appear in a news story on Bnd.com and move on to a nationwide round this fall to find the cutest pets across McClatchy News’ U.S. market.
In our 2024 cutest dog photo contest, a husky/pomeranian mix puppy named Zoey took the crown, with more than 2,200 votes in the contest’s final round. If you’re interested in some of our other previous bracket competitions, don’t miss southwestern Illinois’ choice for the best coffee shop or top pizza parlor.
By submitting a photo, you agree your entry and images may be published online or in print by the BND and its parent company McClatchy Media, and you accept our Terms of Service.
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
