A rescue kitten captured as it prepared to pounce on its unsuspecting sibling has been announced as the winner of the Comedy Pet Photography Awards.

The picture of black and white felines Max and Alex was taken by professional wildlife photographer Michel Zoghzoghi.

“Max and Alex form a lethally cute duo. I had more fun and surprises taking photos of these two characters, than during my most adventurous wildlife photography trips,” he said.

Other winners include Boudicca the ferret on her first outdoor walk, which was captured by Darya Zelentsova, who is originally from Kyiv in Ukraine.

A chance snap of a dog leaping in front of surprised onlookers in a New York park took home the People’s Choice Award which is voted for by the public.

The picture – aptly titled Barking – was shot by Chris Porsz, an amateur street cameraman from the UK.

The competition was created by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam.

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The duo said they aim to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and “celebrate the incredible and hugely valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives”.

“This is still a very young competition in the whole scheme of things, but within a few short years we are already receiving some of the most uplifting, life affirming hilarious images of pets in the world,” Tom said.

“We couldn’t be more excited to share these with you all. Pets have played a fundamental role during the COVID years, and to be able to laugh out loud with these loveable creatures is the reason this competition exists.”

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