The search is on for our Pet of the Year and your dog, cat, goldfish, budgerigar or stick insect could be in for a chance to win the title!

Pets come in all shapes and sizes and we love them all. Now is the time to reward yours with a fabulous prize from HJ Lea Oakes Pet Food Superstores.

The family firm, which has outlets in Wheelock, Aston, Wardle, Endon and Congleton, has teamed up with the Chronicle and Ellesmere Port Pioneer to launch Pet of the Year 2014.

A £100 hamper packed with HJ Lea Oakes products will go to the winner with two runner up prize hampers worth £50.

Last year the contest in Crewe drew more than 200 entries including a micro pig and a snake! 

So send us a photograph of your favourite furry, or otherwise, friend.

We will publish your family friends in galleries on our website and in our papers over the next few weeks before the big winners are announced.

Staff of H J Lea Oakes, Wheelock, Sandbach with their pets

A judging panel of staff from HJ Lea Oakes and the Chronicle will pick a shortlist of 12 and then it will be up to you to vote for a winner.

Manager of HJ Lea Oakes Margaret Lovatt said: “We all have pets here at the store, including dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, horses and even rats.

“We understand the love people have for their pets and this comes across in the personal service we provide.

“We get to know the pets as much as we know the customers and it’s great to see them coming in to shop for treats.”

Check out some of our #coolpets from earlier this year:

 

As well as running pet stores, HJ Lea Oakes also specialises in animal feed for the agricultural industry and is one of the oldest firms of its kind in the country with a lineage dating back to 1675 when the Lea family began milling feeds to supply the Cheshire farming community.

More than 30 animal-lovers are employed across its Pet Food Superstores.

They cater for all creatures great and small, selling everything from pet food, beds and accessories to pet-related gifts such as calendars, toys and pictures.

The stores also sell the company’s own-brand dog and cat food, Nurtura, and Equerry for horses and ponies – all made in its local mills at Aston and Congleton and a top-seller nationwide.

For more information on HJ Lea Oakes visit www.hjlea.com.

The deadline for entries has now passed