Who has the cutest dog, cat in Charlotte? Enter our contest for bragging rights

Think your pet is the cutest in Charlotte? Now’s your chance to prove it.

This Halloween season, only two will take home the ultimate titles — the Charlotte area’s Cutest Cat and Cutest Dog.

The Charlotte Observer is once again calling on local pet parents to show off their four-legged friends in our annual Cutest Pet Contest. Whether your cat’s rocking a cowboy hat, your dog’s saving the day in a superhero cape or they’re simply snoozing in a sunbeam, we want to see them (costumes are encouraged, but definitely not required).

Entries open Monday, Oct. 13, and close at noon on Thursday, Oct. 16. After submissions wrap up, a panel of pet-loving editors will narrow the field to the Top 50 cats and Top 50 dogs, who will then face off in separate public voting rounds.

• The first round of voting begins Monday, Oct. 20, and ends at midnight on Thursday, Oct. 22.
• Round 2 of voting starts at noon Thursday, Oct. 23, and ends at midnight on Monday, Oct. 27.
• The winners will be announced in a story on Monday, Nov. 3.

Do you have the cutest cat or dog in the U.S.?

More than 20 McClatchy newspapers across the country are hosting their own Cutest Cat and Cutest Dog contests, and the competition doesn’t stop there. The local winners will go head-to-head in a national showdown to crown America’s Cutest Cat and Dog, kicking off Monday, Nov. 10.

How to enter our cutest pet contest

Fill out one of the forms below to submit your pet’s photo and information. Be sure to choose the correct form for your animal.

Ready to enter? Use the links below:

Each form will ask for:

• Your pet’s name
• Age and breed (if known)
• A fun fact or what makes them special
• A clear photo of your cat or dog
• Your name and email address

You can enter as many pets as you like, but you’ll need to use a separate submission form for each. Once voting opens, you can vote as many times as you like.

By submitting a photo, you agree that your entry and images may be published online or in print by The Charlotte Observer and its parent company McClatchy News, and that you accept our Terms of Service.

Remember: This poll isn’t scientific — it’s for fun!