Dwight Horne thinks his family has some pretty cute pets among his two chihuahuas and two rescue dogs, and he’s betting that there’s a whole lot of folks across Sampson County that feel the same way about their own.

That’s one of the reason’s Clinton Appliance and Furniture Company became the title sponsor of The Sampson Independent’s annual Cutest Pet Contest, which gets under way Monday morning.

Not only will the contest be fun, Horne said, it will give people an opportunity to let all those adorable pets shine.

“We’re all pet people over here at Clinton Appliance,” Horne said. “We love our pets and we are going to love this contest. We encourage everyone to get involved, submitting their pet’s pictures and, when the time comes, getting people to vote for them.

“Everyone thinks they have a cute pet. With this contest, they get a chance to show them off.”

Like Horne, Piggy Wiggly management opted to join the contest because of the deep love they and so many others at the grocery stores have for their own pets.

Both Horne and those at Piggly Wiggly also saw how popular the contest was last year and, from an advertising standpoint, wanted to be an active part of something they believed would give them great exposure.

“It just seemed like a good contest for us to take part in,” Horne said. “It’ll be fun for the community, it’ll get our name out there and we’ll be supporting what I’m sure will be some of the cutest pets around.”

Folks with pets can submit their photos online starting Monday. Simply click on the contest logo on The Sampson Independent website (www.clintonnc.com) and follow the directions. All one needs is a valid email address and some cute pets to get started.

Entries will be accepted through Saturday, Sept. 29.

But before that, starting Monday, Sept. 17, the entries will go before the voters. And voting will continue through Sunday, Sept. 30.

“Cats and dogs are great, but I’m betting there are some other pretty cute pets out there — like pot-bellied pigs, horses, ducks, ferrets, chinchillas, snakes, perhaps a few cows and horses,” said Sherry Matthews, editor and general manager of The Sampson Independent. “We actually had some pretty cute cows among our entries last year.

“No matter the pet,we want to see photos of everyone’s cutest, and then we can’t wait to see who wins.”

Prizes will be awarded to winners, thanks to the generosity of local merchants like Clinton Appliance and Furniture Company and Piggly Wiggly.

There will be a $250 prize for first place; a $100 prize for second place; and a $50 gift certificate for the third-place finisher.

“We can’t thank our sponsors enough, because, without them, we would have no contest,” Matthews said. “And we would certainly urge everyone to support those businesses every chance they get.”

And, of course, Matthews, like Horne and those at Piggly Wiggly, is encouraging everyone to start entering their pets in the contest Monday and then visit the website to peruse the competition.

“It’s sure to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see all those adorable pets. Animals are special and they’re so cute,” Matthews said.