Of course there are lots of ecstatic dogs playing. But there are also pensive chicks, grinning horses, and lounging cats among the winners in this year’s Comedy Pet Photography Awards.

The silly photo above was the winner in the dog category. Dubbed “Jurassic Bark” by photographer Carmen Cromer, it was taken in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

The competition was created to celebrate the positive role that pets play in their people’s lives. This year, there were 2,100 entries from 42 countries.

“We had so many dog pictures and videos entered this year,”  Michelle Wood, awards managing director, tells Treehugger. “Perhaps as a result of lockdown, it was really evident to see a lot of new puppies had found homes!”

Wood says the judges are looking for entertainment and quality when choosing the winners.

“[We’re looking for] something that is immediately engaging and funny. It has to make us laugh straightaway,” she says. “After that, the quality of the photo is important. Because it’s a comedy photo competition, there’s a lot of luck involved, and sometimes even though the scenario in the image might be hilarious, unfortunately the photo quality lets them down.”

The contest supports the U.K. pet charity Animal Support Angels due to competition partner Animal Friends Insurance. The charity offers food, shelter, veterinary care, and re-homing for pets in need.

Overall Winner

Zoe Ross was the clear favorite with her photo “Whizz pop.” Taken in Penkridge, U.K., it shows her black Labrador retriever puppy playing with bubbles in the yard when a large one floats past her bottom.

“We never ever thought that we would win but entered the competition because we loved the idea of helping a charity just be sending in a funny photo of Pepper," Ross says. “She is such a little monkey, and very proud of herself, bringing in items from the garden and parading past you until you notice her. She is the happiest puppy we’ve ever known and completely loved to pieces.”

Wood says, “It is a perfectly timed shot and I think it appealed to the naughty, childish humour in me. Plus we were lucky enough to have three young judges on board this year and it was right up their street!”

Cat Winner

Kathryn Trott’s ““Photobomb” was taken in Ystradgynlais, Wales, in the U.K. It features one cat who really loves the camera. She says it’s “Jeff stealing the limelight from his brother Jaffa.”

Horse Winner

Mary Ellis took her winning photo at Platte River State Park in Nebraska. She calls it “I said ‘Good Morning.’”

Ellis says, “I like to visit the stable horses before I begin my hike at the State Park…this is the reply I received when I said Good Morning.”

All Other Creatures Winner

Sophie Bonnefoi photographed “The Eureka Moment!” in Oxford, U.K.

Junior Winner 

Suzi Lonergan appropriately calls her winning photo “Sit.” It stars a Labrador retriever in Pacific Palisades, California. She says, “Our granddaughter gave the command to sit. Beau is very obedient.”

Pets Who Look Like Their Owners Winner 

Jakub Gojda won the look-alike category with “…That was a good one!!” from the Czech Republic.

These are some of the “highly commended” winners:

“Boing”

Christine Johnson shot this image of her dog on Crosby Beach in the U.K.

She says, “I was busy playing with my dog on the beach and this dog came to play. I liked the shapes he was making in the air.”

“Crazy in love with fall”

Diana Jill Mehner photographed an ecstatic dog in Paderborn, Germany.

“A Warm Spot on a Cold Day”

Two dogs in the snow intrigued Corey Seeman of Michigan.

“So what?”

Lucy Slater photographed her cat just hanging out in San Diego.

She says, “Vincent the cat. This is how I like to sit!”