LUMBERTON — Is your pet a canine, or a ca-10?

That’s the questions we’re posing at The Robesonian in a search to find the most adorable companion in the Cutest Pet contest, which kicks off Monday.

“Pets give unconditional love and serve us in so many ways as far as being loyal friends and companions,” said Debbie Townsend, owner of the Farm and Family Center, which sells products for pets.

Townsend, who owns dogs, cats and fish said, “Whether it’s a fish that can provide calm after a long day, or a dog that is waiting for you when you come home and is so glad to see you, it’s important to show them love.”

The person with the cutest pet will have something else to smile about — the $250 prize.

The contest is free to enter for owners of all pets, regardless of leg count. Participants can submit a photo, title and description of their special friend by visiting www.robesonian.com and clicking the Contests section, which can be found under the Features tab.

Readers can vote beginning Sept. 17 by logging in with their current user name and password, or by creating a new one by clicking the Register Now tab on the top right corner of the contest window. Votes are free and can be cast once a day until Sept. 30.

Townsend, who is opening a child-care center in September called Wee Farm Learning Center, says pets can do more than just look cute —they can provide lessons on how to properly care for something.

“Nowadays, children know a lot about computers and games, but as far as how things are grown and raised and what you need to do to take care of them — they don’t know that anymore,” Townsend said.

Wee Farm Learning Center will use pets to help teach children the value of animals. And perhaps the Cutest Pet contest can give it a head start by making it rain cats and dogs — cute ones.

So, if you’ve ever thought your pet was the fairest of them all, it’s time to speak up — unless the cat’s got your tongue.