Pictures of cute critters may well elicit more "awwws" than those of human babies. At least that's what the response to our "Best of the Beasts" Pet Photo Contest leads us to believe. We received almost 400 entries to the categories "Paws" for the Camera, Fat Cats, Off the Chain, Lady and the Tramp and Wild Card, as well as pet-centric videos. Seven Days staffers winnowed down the prospects, and hundreds of readers voted on the finalists.

The winners appear in this week's "Animal Issue." A slideshow of the entire, um, menagerie of feathered, furry and scaly friends appears below. Just see if they don't make you smile.

It's worth noting that our contest offered no prizes to these proud pet owners — just the opportunity to share their "baby" pictures, and, of course, the glory.

Congratulations to our winners (click on the photos in the slideshow for more details):

» "Paws" for the Camera — "Sydney," Robert Fahey, Stowe

» Fat Cats — "Kaya," Nikki Bessette, Burlington

» Lady and the Tramp — "Douglas and Abby," Jon and Kristen Rajewski, South Burlington

» Off the Chain — "Tucker," Corey Fitch, Burlington

» Wild Card — "Eugene," Adam Laxar, Burlington

» Caught on Video — "Boo," Brian Eckert, South Burlington

Pet Photo Winners:

All Pet Photo Entries:

Video Winner:

"Boo"

"This is our cat Boo," writes Brian. "She was probably 3 in this video. She is almost 9 now. This video shows her using a doorstop to knock on our bedroom door, quite fashionably, I might add."

Video finalists:

• Miss Millie the Glass Eyed Wonder Cat
• The Bow Show
• Raisin Dunk
• Jammin' Misty

Additional Video Entries:

• Loulah and Her Ball
• Buddha
• Ginnie and Roxy Playing Tug O' War
• The Carrot