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A contest is looking for the world's funniest pet photo. Here are 23 of the best so far.

A dog striking a cool-guy pose in a bike basket. A horse gliding carelessly a few feet above the grass. A cat taking a #nofilter Instagram selfie. A panel of experts is currently debating the funniest pet photos on Earth — and some of the early favorites are in.

Submissions for the Comedy Pet Photography Awards have been open since January, and the entries so far have not disappointed.

"We wanted to see the funniest photos of pets from across the globe, and to our delight, the entries we've received so far have gone over and above our expectations," said contest co-founder Paul Joynson-Hicks.


The contest was launched by wildlife photographers Paul Johnson-Hicks and Tom Sullam as a spin-off of their highly successful Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, which they started to showcase the best, most offbeat animal photography and raise money and awareness for conservation group Born Free.

Because the focus of this contest is on pet photos, the duo has partnered with the Humane Society of the United States and the Animal Welfare Foundation in the U.K. The awards are currently soliciting donations for both groups through their website.

The inaugural frontrunners for the 2017 Comedy Pet Photography Awards include:

1. This dog paralyzed with dread, powerless to stop the demon bubble's approach.

Photo by Connie Fore/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

2. This cat checking in from downstairs to see what's up upstairs.

Photo by Gabriel Constantin Marian/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

3. This dog enjoying a rejuvenating snow facial.

Photo by Isabelle Marozzo/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

4. This cat lounging in a ceramic bowl.

Photo by Annette Edgar/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2017

5. This dog chilling in a bike basket.

Photo by Simon DeKnock/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

6. This horse casually hovering.

Photo by Nando Harmsen/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

7. This dog strutting into the speakeasy after applying too much rouge.

Photo by Charles Davies/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

8. This cat bouncing you from the club.

Photo by Gabriel Constantin Marian/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

9. This horse just saying, "hey."

Photo by Heather Ross/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

10. This dog achieving its lifelong dream of catching the big tennis ball.

Photo by Sue Carroll/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

11. This kitten enjoying a phantom ice cream cone.

Photo by Claire Stott/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

12. This dog halfheartedly pretending to be awake.

Photo by Jaroslaw Brzezinski/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

13. This horse doing a weird upside-down parrot impression.

Photo by Heather Ross/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

14. This dog smiling its prettiest smile.

Photo by Peter Fonkert/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

15. This cat raining death from above.

Photo by Heather Ross/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

16. This dog trying a little too hard to convey that he loves the birthday present you bought him.

Photo by Connie Fore/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

17. This dog plotting an alternate route around traffic.

Photo by Lance Bellers/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

18. This cat realizing that the Matrix is real.

Photo by Krzysztof Smeljlis/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

19. This dog shaking it off.

Photo by Raquel Marques/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

20. This dog venting its rage at a cold, unfeeling universe.

Photo by Karen Yeomans/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

21. This horse aerating its teeth while its owner laughs.

Photo by Stephen DeHavilland/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

22. This cat taking a grainy morning selfie.

Photo by Katie Tipton/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

23. These cowboy dogs riding off into the sunset.

Photo by Alice van Kempen/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards.

Since the dawn of social media, millions around the world have waited eagerly for the day when looking at funny pictures of pets on their phones would earn them doing-good-for-the-Earth points.

Thanks to the Comedy Pet Photography Awards, the Humane Society of the U.S., and the Animal Welfare Foundation, that day is finally here.

Soak it in.

The contest is accepting submissions through May 31. Winners will be announced this summer.

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