A cat imitating a toy, another half-stuck in a wall, a highly photogenic hamster, a headless horse and many canines just being silly are among the 30 comical images that leapt to the shortlist to win the Comedy Pet Photo Awards.

The finalist photos “are absolute crackers to make you smile,” according to the organizers and “a treat of happy, positive and feel-good nonsense.”

Through the wonders of photography and video, this competition shines a spotlight on all domestic animals and their hilarious human-like expressions, antics and naughty capers while sharing the love and laughter with the world.

The funny-pet-photo competition was created by Paul Joynson Hicks and Tom Sullam, both professional photographers, to celebrate the positive and vital role that pets play in our lives and to encourage engagement around animal welfare.

“The images were chosen for their photographic quality as well as their comedic value and are now subject to some serious scrutiny from the judges who are all expert animal lovers to pick the winner.”

The 30 Finalists will be eligible for the People’s Choice Category, where the public is invited to vote via the website for their favorite funny pet. The vote is open from May 10 to June 2. One lucky voter, chosen at random, will win a £100 cash prize.

The 2024 Comedy Pet Winners will be announced on June 6. The winner takes £500 cash and a camera bag from ThinkTANK.

To see all the finalists go here.

Hector saw the cat do it — he made it look so easy — so he thought he would give it a try. This was as far as he got before scrambling backward, out the way he came.

Artie is about 12 weeks old. He’s an expressive little fellow. Here, he could be imitating a school student putting up a hand to ask permission to go to the bathroom…er, kitty litter box?

A little shake of the head and, whoa, where is everyone? David Kertzman snapped this just as the head disappeared.

Here’s a friendly-looking curly couple enjoying a windy, if chilly, day at the beach.

Edgar (although a female) loves to eat flowers, and her favorites are dandelions in spring, snapdragons in summer and here she can be seen gobbling a whole Gertrude Jekyll rose. Jonathan Casey and family grow them for her and as she is elderly, feed her by hand.

This beautiful and athletic gelding loves to try to fly off the ground.

Cat in a trap? It only looks like a scene from the video game Super Mario World.

Freddie was Alina Vogel’s first hamster and probably the most photogenic. Sadly, Freddie recently passed to hamster heaven.

Tammo Zelle’s dog, Bolonka Zwetna, or “Lady Eilean,” has a lot of fun in the snow. Unfortunately ice crystals always stick to his paws.

Vittorio Ricci’s long hair turtle cat believes itself perfectly camouflaged in case of ambush.

Ludo von Lickenface, the sweetest 16-year-old rescue pup, strikes a pose alongside his beloved guardian.

Emma Beardsmore’s two cats — Bluebell, a Tonkinese and Simba a snow bengal, love to spy on the neighbors.

Pepper, a pointer dog, loves its air time.