Meet Capitol Hill’s cutest pets

Lawmakers came together Wednesday night for the ninth annual Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest.

The contest saw a competitive field with over 200 entries nominated by lawmakers and their staff.

The winners were announced by Reps. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), the heads of the Congressional Veterinary Caucus.

Taking top prize for cutest cat was Lilly, whose guardian Terra Davis works in the office of Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.). Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s (D-Ill.) pet Ellie was the cutest dog. And a hedgehog named Pickles from Rep. Peter Roskam’s (R-Ill.) office took the award for cutest exotic animal.

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“We ran a serious a campaign, whipping members on both sides of the aisle. We worked all the angles,” said Schakowsky.

Over 16,000 votes were cast online to help pick the winners.

It was a nail-biting vote.

“We ran a Chicago-style campaign, voting early and often,” Schakowsky joked.

Hosted by the Animal Health Institute (AHI), which represents companies that make medicines for animals, this year’s theme was “Friends Across the Aisle.”

“Even in D.C. at this time, our pets are blind to party and politics,” said Alex Mathews, president and CEO of AHI, in a statement. “The Cutest Pet Contest is one of our favorite Capitol Hill traditions and we are honored that so many members of Congress and their staff participate each year.”

At the event, AHI also brought certified therapy dogs that work with special needs children around the D.C. area. One of the standout stars was Higgins, an English bulldog, that drew large crowds eager to snap pictures and rub his belly.

And the event drew attention to important issues. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) spoke about the Hot Cars Act, which he has introduced. The bill would require auto manufacturers to equip cars with alarms to alert owners to children and pets left in the back seat in hot weather.

“There are 60 million dogs out there we need to take care of. They’re a part of our family and instrumental to our happiness and wellbeing,” said Ryan.