BOCA RATON — It was a tight race, but in the end Calvin the hedgehog nosed into the winner’s circle. He joined Meg the cat, Max the dog, and Floyd, a kitten who sleeps on the snout of canine best buddy, Moose, as winners of the NCCI Holdings, Inc. Cutest Pet Contest.
The winning pets were among 144 contestants, all of whom tugged on the judges’ heartstrings and helped raise $1,000 for three local animal shelters — The Tri County Humane Society, the Humane Society of Broward County and Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League.
Besides voting, NCCI employees collected pet items, made check and cash donations, and hosted the Peggy Adams Pet Mobile’s visit to NCCI to showcase animals up for adoption.
Many of the pets entered into the contest were rescued from shelters themselves. And, of course, each had a cute and cuddly backstory, including Calvin, an African pygmy hedgehog.
“He loves to snuggle and lie on your lap, and as his quills relax, he will roll on his side to let me lightly rub his fuzzy belly,” said his owner, Chantel Weishaar. “Every morning he hears me come in his room and pops his head out from under his little covers.”
NCCI matched employees’ donations of $10 or more to the shelters.