Voting Is Now Closed—Thanks for the Cuteness Overload!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in Virginia Living’s 2026 Cutest Pet Photo Contest! Whether you voted, shared your furry (or feathered!) friend, or simply followed along for the adorable ride, we’re so grateful you joined the fun—and helped support a worthy cause.

A portion of proceeds benefits the Virginia Beach SPCA, a national leader in animal welfare and advocacy.

So, what’s next? The winners will be officially announced on VirginiaLiving.com and across our social media platforms @VirginiaLiving. All winners will also appear in our May/June issue issue. Our editorial team will contact winning pet parents ahead of the public announcement. Thanks for helping make our very first Cutest Pet Photo Contest a tail-wagging, whisker-twitching success! 

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.

NEW PRIZE: Custom Hand-Painted Pet Portrait by David Cochran

Each category winner will receive a custom, hand-painted 16″ x 20″ acrylic portrait of their pet by Virginia artist David Cochran — an artist with a gift for turning your most loved moments into something you can hold onto forever.

This isn’t a photo with a filter on it. It’s an original painting, on canvas, created from your favorite photo. David will work personally with each winner to make sure the portrait captures everything that makes their pet theirs — their personality, their favorite spot, the little details only you would know.

Hang it above the fireplace. Point to it for the rest of your life. We would. Check out David's work here: Davidcochran.com

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

  Read the full 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:

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL