Courtesy of Lynne Peters
When it comes to cats, it appears cuteness runs in the family. Berry, the winner of the New Jersey Monthly‘s second annual Cutest Cat Contest, sponsored by Morris Animal Inn, is none other than the sister-by-adoption of Goji, last year’s contest winner.
An expert panel of judges chose Berry as Cutest Cat from among 12 finalists. Berry was one of 225 cats entered in the contest. (A portion of the entry fees will benefit the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter.) Berry reached the final round after an online vote at njmonthly.com.
Like her older brother Goji, Berry is a British short hair with auburn eyes. Owner Lynne Peters, of Mahwah, purchased both cats from the same breeder: the Empire of Glamour Cattery in Quebec, Canada. Berry, born on August 8, 2018, sports striking blue fur and a button nose.
Berry and Goji share an Instagram account (@empire_of_glamour_goji) boasting 20,200 followers. But according to their owner, Berry is the real star. “When I put a bandana or bowtie on her,” says Peters, “she automatically smiles for the camera.”
Berry welcomes the attention she garners by being photogenic, but Peters says she is the shy, sweet, cuddling type. Her sweet nature, however, doesn’t stop her from getting into mischief and mayhem with her brother.
“She loves to watch birds—and when she’s not doing that, she is chasing Goji around the house,” says Peters. “We are just so thrilled to have won … And we’re so happy that the money is going toward a great cause.”
Berry was chosen in a two-step process. A total of 225 photos were entered in the contest from March 26–May 3, at njmonthly.com. Ten finalists were chosen in an online vote from May 6–19; a total of 5,960 votes were cast. New Jersey Monthly added two editor’s picks to the field of 10 finalists. A panel of six experts chose Berry from the 12 finalists based on five criteria: appeal of the pet, pose, composition of the photo, quality of image, and originality.
Our judges: Kristin Barber, Rahway Kitty Hall, a café showcasing cats available for adoption; Mary Anne Broderick, pet photographer, Millstone Township; Linda Bohm, Bohm-Marrazzo Studios, Boonton; Shaina Fishman, pet photographer, New York City; Alessandra Sawick, pet photographer, North Arlington; and Kate McMahon, photographer/videographer and professional groomer, Middlesex County.