OTTAWA, Ontario, June 3, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following intense campaigning, fierce competition, and over 19,000 votes cast by Canadians from coast to coast, the winners of the 2026 “Cutest Pets on Parliament Hill” contest have been officially revealed.
Sponsored by the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), this year’s awards ceremony took place on June 2 at La Métropolitain Brasserie, a pet-friendly venue. The event brought together parliamentarians, political staff, and media members, each accompanied by their four-legged friends, for an evening celebrating the joy, companionship, and connection that animals bring to our lives, both on Parliament Hill and beyond.
And the winners are:
- Cutest Dog 2026: Tuukka
- Cutest Cat 2026: Coco
- Cutest Other Animal 2026: Nugget
- Most Elegant Animal 2026: Bella
Now in its fourth year, the contest drew a record 142 entries from MPs, senators, political staff, and press gallery members. Due to the impressive turnout, CAHI expanded the number of finalists in the Dog and Cat categories from 10 to 15 candidates for the popular vote.
“This year’s contest once again captured the fun, personality, and bipartisan spirit that has made the Cutest Pets on Parliament Hill competition such a beloved tradition,” said Dr. Catherine Filejski, President and CEO of CAHI. “Beyond the excitement of the competition, this event also serves as an opportunity to highlight the benefits of helping our pets live longer, healthier lives.”
The evening’s program featured a town crier, pet-inspired cocktails, red-carpet moments, and plenty of “paw-litical” humour, as finalists and guests gathered to celebrate the unique bond between Canadians on the Hill and their pets.
This contest not only shines a spotlight on the essential role pets play in our lives, but also underscores the importance of CAHI’s work to improve access to veterinary medicines, which helps keep animals healthy and, by extension, contributes to the health of all Canadians.
To view this year’s winners and finalists, visit:
Cutest Pets on Parliament Hill
About CAHI
Founded in 1968, CAHI is the trusted scientific voice of the animal health sector in Canada. Our members provide veterinarians and Canadian pet owners with the animal health products and tools needed to maintain the health of our pets and food-producing animals. Healthy animals for a healthier Canada. www.cahi-icsa.ca.
Media contact: Eleanor Hawthorn, Director of Communications, ehawthorn@cahi-icsa.ca
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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