The Des Moines Register's Iowa's Cutest Cat contest does not feature five finalists as the title suggests—it has narrowed over 500 cat submissions down to eight finalists competing in the "Fel-ite Eight" Round of 8. These eight Iowa cats represent remarkably different personalities, from destructive troublemakers to daring athletes with unusual abilities. The contest celebrates the distinct character traits that make each finalist memorable, whether that's causing mischief, hopping like a kangaroo, or using paws like human hands.
Table of Contents
- About the Contest and Finalists
- Mischief and Imagination
- Unusual Abilities and Fearlessness
- Character and Unexpected Bonds
- Public Voting Is Open
- Frequently Asked Questions
About the Contest and Finalists
The Des Moines Register's annual competition invites cat owners across Iowa to submit their pets. This year's contest received over 500 entries and has advanced eight finalists to the current voting round. Beyond physical appearance, the contest recognizes personality, quirks, and the special bonds cats share with their families.
Mischief and Imagination
Ernie, a 5-year-old fluffy orange and white cat from Des Moines, is a finalist who loves causing trouble and taking long naps in the sun. His personality represents the classic cat duality: disruptive energy followed by total relaxation.
Sgt. Pepper, a 5-year-old mackerel tabby from Johnston, is a finalist whose favorite activity is playing in blanket forts. His hobby demonstrates how cats engage with their owners' creativity in playful ways.
Unusual Abilities and Fearlessness
Roo, a 6-year-old Des Moines cat, earned her name because she used to hop around on her back legs like a kangaroo when she was a kitten. This behavior became her defining trait among her littermates and neighbors.
Chicken, a Des Moines finalist, displays unusual abilities including using his hind feet like human hands and is notably unafraid of raccoons. His combination of dexterity and fearlessness makes him genuinely unique among household cats.
Character and Unexpected Bonds
His role in his family's love story extends his significance beyond typical pet companionship. Lorelei, a 6-year-old diva cat from West Des Moines, is a finalist whose primary activities include sleeping, eating, and bathing. Tonks Goldsmith, a 6-year-old Des Moines finalist, loves rolling around in bathtubs because of their cool, smooth texture, revealing how cats find comfort in unexpected sensations.
Public Voting Is Open
Voting is currently active for the "Fel-ite Eight" round of the Des Moines Register's contest. Cat lovers can support their favorite finalist through the competition's official channels. Each of the eight finalists offers appeal—whether you prefer Ernie's troublemaking, Roo's athleticism, Chicken's fearlessness, Maxter's romantic backstory, Lorelei's simplicity, or Tonks's eccentric habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many finalists are there?
Eight cats are competing in the "Fel-ite Eight" round, selected from over 500 initial submissions.
Can I vote for a finalist?
Yes, voting is currently open through the Des Moines Register's contest.
What makes these finalists unique?
Each has distinctive traits—Roo hops like a kangaroo, Chicken uses his hind paws like hands and isn't afraid of raccoons, Maxter's owners credit him with their marriage, Tonks loves bathtubs, Ernie causes mischief, Sgt. Pepper plays in blanket forts, and Lorelei embodies the cat lifestyle.