Bring on the cuddles, as Purina is looking for new chief snuggle officers, but not all furry friends qualify.
The popular pet care product manufacturer announced in July that it is searching for one puppy and one kitten to serve as new chief snuggle officers, who will set the "standard for top-tier snuggles and cuteness" and earn $25,000 salaries. Additionally, Purina will donate $10,000 to a local shelter near each winner.
Key responsibilities of the chief snuggle officers include promoting good nutrition, growth, and lots of play. While the position does not require prior executive experience, it demands "a strong track record in comfort delivery, cross-functional cuddle collaboration, and consistent performance in high-stress situations (i.e.,
Mondays)."
"Judges look for personality, snuggle skills, creativity, and clear presentation," contest rules read.
The company received more than 2,000 entries for chief snuggle officer position during the application period which ran from July 1 to 17, Purina said.
Here's a look at the six finalists − three pups and three kittens − for the position of the chief snuggle officer. Based on the votes, one puppy and one kitten will be crowned Purina's chief snuggle officer for the year.
Teddy
- Age: 11 weeks
- Birthday: April 27, 2026
- Breed: Maltipoo
- Owner: Beverley Torres
- Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Small but mighty, Teddy, at two and a half pounds, has exceptional stamina and is "driven by playtime and expert-level snuggling," logging "numerous daily hours in rigorous playtime." The pooch has a gold star in potty training, "demonstrating discipline and cleanliness," and is currently receiving puppy training. He is an expert in finding optimal relaxation spots and has "mastered the pillow fluff cuddle."
Torres said in her contest submission that she received the puppy as an engagement gift from her fiancé, Jarret, and symbolizes "the exciting first step in building our family together."
"The moment I saw his little brown eyes and cute pointed ears, my heart just melted and I knew he was meant to be mine," Torres said. "It felt like he looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes and chose me right then and there! It was definitely puppy-love at first sight."
Torres added that Teddy has the most adorable "love sigh" he does whenever he snuggles in close, which melts her heart every time he cuddles with her.
Genji
- Age: 3 months
- Birthday: May 8, 2026
- Breed: Shiba Inu
- Owner: Khelly Sta Rita
- Location: Fairview Heights, Illinois
"Curious and always happy," Genji joined his family after they lost their senior dog a few months earlier. Though he's still on his way to becoming the household snuggler, he has learnt his name, responds properly to commands such as "sit" and "stay" and has never had a crate incident.
Genji's favorite activities include meeting new people, obsessing over his toys and nibbling on cheese. He has "absolutely no shame about stealing his cat sister's crinkle fish or napping in her bed," but he draws the line at wet grass.
Despite his breed, Genji has yet to discover the famous Shiba scream and, in fact, barely barks.
Sta Rita said she had wanted a "Shiba Inu for years" and one day after the death of her senior dog, Smokey, as she scrolled through social media "just to look," she came across a breeder nearby and "there he was."
"A tiny red puppy who happened to be the only boy in a litter of three," Sta Rita said. "The breeder called him the gentle one."
"Looking at the little rascal chasing both his tail and our feet through the house today, it's hard to believe we're talking about the same puppy," she added.
Genji walked into their life "as if he had always belonged" there and quickly became friends with their cat.
"The quiet little puppy we first met has completely come out of his shell," Sta Rita said. "These days he's a confident little trouble-making land shark who somehow keeps us laughing every single day."
Bowie
- Age: 4 months
- Birthday: April 20, 2026
- Breed: Dalmatian
- Owner: Kimmy Bonnema
- Location: Watsonville, California
"Equal parts comedian, troublemaker, cuddle bug, and loyal little shadow," Bowie is an expert at stealing hearts and sometimes shoes. The professional tail-wagger and lap warmer is the head of security at her home.
Bowie's owner, Kimmy Bonnema, said she brought the pet home on the insistence of her daughter, Kali, who has adored dalmatians since she was only 3.
"When she turned 8, we finally decided it was time to make her dream come true, and that’s how Bowie came into our lives," Bonnema said.
However, Bowie's arrival became a meaningful moment for the family.
"From the moment Bowie came home, it felt like she had always belonged here," Bonnema said. "She arrived during a season when our family needed a little more joy, and she has brought an abundance of it."
Bonnema said the family hopes Bowie will eventually become a service dog for their 3-year-old son Blake, who is diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic immune system disease.
"But for now, she has already given him something incredibly important: comfort, companionship, laughter, and unconditional love," the pet owner said.
Bonnema said the best part about Bowie’s personality is what they call the “Bowie shuffle.”
"When we’re all sitting on the couch, Bowie will settle in next to one person for a few minutes, then suddenly pop up and move to someone else," Bonnema said, adding she does it again and again, making "her rounds like she has a very important schedule to keep."
"She never stays in one spot for long because apparently everyone needs their allotted Bowie cuddle time," Bonnema said.
Kittens
Charli
- Age: 3 months
- Birthday: April 28, 2026
- Breed: Himalayan Persian kitten
- Owner: Cris Davila
- Location: Long Beach, California
A master snuggler, Charli has become an expert at bedtime cuddles, with her favorite spot being right between two pillows, though she’s also happy sleeping right on top of them "like the little queen she is."
When Charli is not practicing her snuggle skills, she can be found zooming through her tunnel, playing and investigating absolutely everything around her, Davila said.
Charli is obsessed with the air-conditioner, and the second she hears the AC turn on, "she runs to her cat tree, uses it to jump up onto the bed, and immediately claims her favorite pillow spot, according to Davila.
There, she positions herself directly in front of the vent, slowly "turning her head from side to side, making sure the cool air hits every part of her face," Davila added.
Cashew
- Age: 3 months
- Birthday: May 10, 2026
- Owner: Danielle Meyers
- Location: Wyoming, New York
Cashew, who also responds to "Cash," "Cashman," and "Mr. Man," was born and rescued from a dairy farm after he "purr-posely fell into an unsafe spot (a dairy cow feeder) in front of (his) new Mom, who had to take (him) home!"
The kitten's strengths include climbing up the back of the couch, crashing his dad's work calls and shadow chasing. Favorite activities include taking long walks, sniffing in the yard with the siblings, and playing with balls.
"Maybe it’s the farm in him, but Cashew is a very go-with-the-flow cat, tackling every new adventure he has in stride," Cashew's owner said.
Cashew is also an emotional support kitten for his dog sister, who doesn't like thunder, the laundry or fireworks.
Melvin
- Age: 6 months
- Birthday: Feb. 14, 2026
- Owner: Sydney Bar-Or
- Location: Denver, Colorado
Born on Valentine's Day, Melvin has been "spreading love since the moment he arrived," with skills including "expert-level cuddling, nightly sleepovers, and stuffed-animal snuggles."
"He has never met a person, blanket or teddy bear he couldn't turn into the perfect nap spot," his owner said.
Melvin may be tiny, but his spirit is not, and the kitty has beaten all the odds, including two parasites, an upper respiratory infection, and an eye infection.
"Through every vet visit and difficult day, he has remained gentle, trusting, and unbelievably affectionate," Bar-Or said. "He has never let what he has been through change his sweet nature. "
Bar-Or received Melvin as a graduation and birthday present from their dad, and the cat with his "caring, genuinely curious, attentive, interactive, and endlessly snuggly" nature has won the entire family's heart. The love is mutual because Melvin is absolutely obsessed with his owner, refusing "to sleep anywhere but on top of me or curled right against my side," Bar-Or said. And every time Bar-Or returns home, Melvin races to welcome her no matter which part he is in, "skidding around corners, meowing the whole way, like I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to him."
"For a breed that’s supposed to be calm and reserved, Melvin loves out loud," Bar-Or said. "He decided from day one that I was his person, and he’s never once let me forget it."
How to cast your vote for chief snuggle officer?
The public can vote for their favorite candidate on Purina's website here until Sept. 30. The two winners will be announced in early October, the company said.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See cuddly finalists vying to be Purina 'chief snuggle officers'
