HAVE you got a picture of a cute cat or a dozing dog that you adore?

Well, a new competition launched by RSPCA West Hatch may be for you.

The animal charity is encouraging people to send in their snaps of their pets to help raise some much-needed funds.

There are four categories in the competition, happy, sleepy, cheeky and buddies, and the charity is looking for images along these themes which capture some of the expressions and experiences that make us love animals so much.

Any number of photographs of domestic or wild animals in their natural habitat can be submitted. It costs £2 per picture to enter with all the money raised going directly towards helping animals at West Hatch.

Bel Deering, centre manager at RSPCA West Hatch, said: “We’ve already had some brilliant photographs sent into us already but would love to see even more. We’d love to see all your pictures of your first pet memories for our competition.

“We want our winning photos to depict animals that are as happy, healthy and safe as can be.

“Pets should appear relaxed, natural, and happy when interacting with people and other animals.

“Just remember that pets don’t like dressing up as they can find the costumes frightening and it can make it difficult for them to move around freely but there are plenty of other ways to create a fun picture of your animals.”

The competition is open to people of all ages, and each category winner as voted for by the centre’s Facebook followers will receive a rosette, and the overall winner will receive a giant chocolate Easter egg and feature in the centre’s next newsletter.

To submit a picture, pay to enter through the JustGiving page (www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rspcaphotocomp) then email your photos and the categories you wish to enter to: photo-comp@rspca.org.uk

The team will then post the photographs on the Facebook page to give followers the chance to vote for their favorites. The closing date is 4pm on Saturday, March 18

RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset treats thousands of animals from the far South West, the West Country and southern England every year. The veterinary staff are complemented by experts in animal husbandry and rehabilitation, enabling the highest standards of treatment and care.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).