St. Joseph’s Hospice has launched a Virtual Pet Show and is inviting people from across Merseyside and Sefton to enter their pets and help to raise valuable funds.

St. Joseph’s Hospice has launched a Virtual Pet Show and is inviting people from across Merseyside and Sefton to enter their pets and help to raise valuable funds.

This year’s Pet Show has been expanded from last year’s Dog Show to include all pets so that your cats, rabbits, hamsters and horses don’t miss out.

It costs £4 per entry and you have until Thursday 18th February to enter.

This year’s Pet Show categories include Most Handsome Male (Dogs), Prettiest Female (Dogs), Golden Oldie (Dogs), Cutest Puppy (Dogs), Best Rescue (Any), Feline Friends (Cat), Small Furries (Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits etc), Large Furries (Horses, Goats, Alpacas etc) and even Best Trick (any animal but videos are encouraged).

All entries will also go to a public vote for our Best in Show award. Prizes will be awarded to each category winner and the Best in Show will win a Disney-style portrait of their pet.

Zoe Furnivall, fundraiser at St. Joseph’s Hospice, said: “We can’t wait to see photos and videos of all your fabulous pets so please get involved and help to support the hospice.

“We’re entering a second year when we are unable to hold any of our usual fundraising events and so virtual events like this are playing a big part in keeping our service running throughout the pandemic.

“It’s all a bit of fun and we hope our Pet Show helps people to connect and have fun with their pets during this period of lockdown.”

To enter, just email your pet's photo along with the name and age of your pet, and the category or categories you are entering to fundraising@jospice.org.uk. Then send your donation (£4 per entry) either online at www.justgiving.com/jospice (please state "Pet Show" in the comments), by text (text VIRTUALPETS 4 to 70085 for one entry. Texts cost £4 plus one standard message rate. For multiple entries change the amount, e.g. VIRTUALPETS 8 for 2 entries) or call 0151 932 6044 to pay over the phone or by card.

The Pet Show will take place on the hospice’s Facebook events page so for all the latest updates, to see all the entries and to vote for Best in Show, visit @JospiceUK on Facebook and click ‘going’ on the Virtual Pet Show event.

Entries close on Thursday 18 February with category winners announced on Monday 22 February. You will then be able to vote for Best in Show until midday on Friday 26 February.

For more information, please give the hospice’s fundraising team a call on 0151 932 6044 or email fundraising@jospice.org.uk.