30 Hilarious Finalists Of The Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2020

Sullam told Bored Panda that the judging for the competition was "ridiculously" difficult. "The hardest thing is deciding which of all the funny dogs, funny cats, funny horses, etc. are the funniest of them all, when in fact so many images could have been finalists!" he complimented all of the entrants.

"We had to go underground individually, look at the images, and then come back with our own personal scoring," Sullam gave us a sneak peek into how the judging process works. "It was gladiatorial once back together, but between us three (Michelle, Paul, and me) we managed to get it down to the top 40. It's always difficult, it is always a little heartbreaking as so many great images don’t quite make it, but ultimately it is a decision that we cannot shirk!"

Entrants in the competition have a chance at winning 3k pounds and being named the 2020 Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photographer of the Year. The winners of the competition will be announced on November 24, so keep an eye out, dear Pandas!

The competition was massively successful: there were more than 2k entries from 81 different countries. Among them were photos of various pets: from lovable llamas and cute cats to gorgeous guinea pigs.

Sullam and Joynson-Hicks’ partnership with Mars Petcare is raising funds for pet welfare by donating 10 percent of the sponsorship fee and 10 percent of all entry fees to national pet charity Blue Cross, in order to help with its work rehoming pets and providing vet treatment and care.

Sullam and Joynson-Hicks will be judging the finalists along with Mars Petcare, the Blue Cross, as well as with wildlife TV presenter, writer, conservationist, and pet-lover Kate Humble.

“The entries this year have been completely and utterly what we needed to raise our spirits in 2020. It has been a tough year for many, but these images have not only made us laugh out loud, but also re-affirmed our desire to drastically reduce animal cruelty and pet orphanage. The positive movement created by this competition is so uplifting and hopefully, we can achieve a similar reaction from all who see this competition!" said Sullam.

Meanwhile, Helen Warren Piper, General Manager at Mars Petcare UK had this to say: “Celebrating our pets is central to our business, and this competition has been hugely enjoyable to be a part of. The benefits of having a pet in the home have never been clearer, and we have loved seeing so many pet lovers sharing their amazing images. We're delighted to be partnering with Blue Cross and in addition to the funds we are raising, we hope the competition will raise much-needed awareness for homeless pets in the UK."

Tracy Genever, Judge, and Blue Cross Head of Education concluded: “We know the massive impact pets can have on our well-being and this joy and companionship is clear to see in all these pictures. I’m thrilled to be invited to join the finalist judging panel and can’t thank The Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photo Awards enough for choosing Blue Cross to support this year.”

If you’d like to lend a hand to The Mars Petcare Comedy Pet Photo Awards in helping out the Blue Cross, you can make a donation right here.