Silly dog stuck in a cat flap wins 2024 Comedy Pet Photo Awards

After the finalists gave you a bit of a sneak peek, the winner of the 2024 Comedy Pet Photo Awards has been revealed. Sarah Haskell’s winning photo, aptly titled Not just for cats!, features Hector, a determined dog with a dream of squeezing through a cat flap. Let’s just say, reality doesn’t quite match his aspirations.

[Related Reading: The Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2024 finalists are here to have you howling with laughter]

Overall winner

“Hector saw the cat do it…so thought he would give it a try,” Sarah explains. “This is about as far as he got before reversing out the way he came. I can imagine him thinking…’But the cat made it look so easy’ Not so for Hector!”

I am utterly thrilled, such great news, that I will have to share with Hector before the announcement (so if word gets out, blame him!)

These Comedy Pet Photo Awards have been a good natured, friendly competition with comical animal characters that you feel you can somehow relate to, that make you smile, and you want to know more about.  Delighted that Hector and I have been part of it, and tremendously proud to be a winner.  (Those that know me well will also know that my exact response on being told this fabulous news was more concise and totally unprintable!).

Hector is a much-loved member of my extended family, and has been my (unwitting, unknowing) Muse for a few years now.  He has a kennel club name that sounds more like a what-3-words location; he is much better suited to Hector, and it is much easier to say!  He will be 14 (human) years in July, so all his visitors make a great fuss over him – Hector has no idea why, quite clearly, but just loves the attention.  I

I have carried a camera pretty much in some form since school days, but it is only recently that I have worked out that pet photography, dog photography in particular, is what I like doing.  The interaction with these expressive, clever, often comical characters, when I am doing ‘pawtrait’ shoots, can only make me (and others, hopefully) smile! 

Other than winning the contest overall, Sarah’s photo also won in the Dogs category. Sarah receives a £500 cash prize, a ThinkTank camera bag, and a beautiful bespoke trophy for her top prize win. But the real reward? The endless amusement (and internet fame) that comes with capturing Hector’s hilarious antics.

Category winners and more info

The Comedy Pet Photo Awards, now in its fifth year, celebrates the joy and silliness that our furry (and sometimes not-so-furry) friends bring to our lives. Founded by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the competition is a hilarious testament to the special bond between humans and animals.

“We’ve had a fantastic competition this year,” says Michelle Wood, who helps run the Awards. “Our pets are a vital source of support, joy and sometimes, great hilarity. We would have a competition to celebrate them every single day if we could!”

So, if you have a pet who makes you laugh out loud (or at least giggle), be sure to enter the 2025 Comedy Pet Photo Awards next year. Who knows, your pet might just be the next internet sensation.