With Halloween just around the corner this month's eight new Kent Pets Tournament entries are ready for your spooktacular vote!

In this first round, four animals will be voted on by readers to go to round two - getting one step closer to becoming October's pet of the month.

For those new to the game, every month we will be choosing eight animals across Kent for readers to explore the lives of and vote on who will be Kent's pet of the month.

Every week readers will vote on pairs of animals to go to the next round until only one remains.

If you're interested in entering next month's round for November, email details about your pet (such as pictures, name, breed, age and fun stories) to mcarr@thekmgroup.co.uk

Head-to-Head #1

Lenny the tabby

Lenny is a nine-year-old tabby cat adored by his owners, Tony and Vanessa from Herne Bay.

He is described as a real character and has been with his family since he was six-months-old.

Lenny was living in a residential home where Vanessa worked but there were to many people about for him.

So, although he did like the staff and residents, his new owners took him home.

Lenny loves attention and gets up to all sorts, he even made it onto Meridian weather when he was enjoying an ice cream.

Despite being an older cat he is still full of energy and always up to mischief.

Lenny is also great company to his owners, especially as Tony has been unwell over the last two and a half years.

The moggy cheers Tony up every day when he is in pain.

Nibbles the hamster

Nibbles is a one-year-old hamster.

The little rascal always gives her owner the cold shoulder if she is woken up.

She loves apples, pears, strawberries and bananas and enjoys playing in her ball.

Head-to-Head #2

Chocolate the cat

Chocolate is a 16-year-old cat nicknamed Chubby Chubs by her owner.

Her favourite thing to do is sitting in the sun, this can only be beaten by eating lots of lovely food.

However, the moggy, who spends most of her time outside, doesn't enjoy her owner's singing very much.

Mona the lurcher cross shih tzu

Mona is a four-year-old lurcher cross shih tzu.

Her favourite thing is is running through the woods with her mum and sibling.

Mona also loves snuggling in her owners bed.

However, no amount of bed snuggles can get rid of the hate she has for getting her nails cut.

Head-to-Head #3

Frank the pug

Frank the pug is only 11-weeks-old but already has a huge personality.

The pup has only just been able to go on walks but is already addicted!

He doesn't let his little legs stop him. Frank's household consists of two children that always have plenty of time to play and let him get away with anything but it’s the adults that tell him off, especially when he jumps on the couch.

Frank loves cuddles with everyone but most importantly loves his bed.

The first friend Frank made when he moved in was Josh, the family's eldest son, who is at university. Frank can't wait to see him during the holidays.

Benji the West Highland white terrier

Benji is a 13-year-old West Highland white terrier.

He loves eating anything chicken or chicken related, rolling around in the snow and babies or toddlers in high chairs that drop food items for him to mop up below.

Benji hates meerkats, especially those ones that appear at the beginning and end of Coronation Street.

He also dislikes thunder and being left off the sofa when the rest of the family is seated.

The old pooch is very small for his breed, as he was the runt of the litter, and so is often mistaken as a pup by other dog walkers who are amazed to find out he is now a senior in dog years.

But don't let that fool you, Benji is very much a big dog in a small dog's body and enjoys frolicing around with larger dogs and competing with them.

And whilst the legs are not as fast as they used to be he still has the brain of a young pooch and loves nothing better than shoving his nose down holes and often other places they are not meant to be - like people's garden pots.

Like many westies he is incredibly stubborn and is not afraid to let you know when he is upset with you and frequently growls at his owners when they have forgotten his treat or are taking longer than usual to do something he wants.

Head-to-Head #4

Pickles the mixed breed pup

Pickles is a nine-week-old mixed breed puppy.

She enjoys lots of play time with her brothers and sisters and loves laying on the grass in the garden.

Pickles is still with her mum at the moment but hopes to move to her new forever home in the next few weeks.

However, whoever gets to be Pickles' new owner must hide their shoes, the pup loves to chew laces.

Basil the cockapoo

Basil is a six-month-old cockapoo that loves snacks and cuddles!

The pup especially likes naps and sneaks onto their mum and dad’s bed.

However, Basil hates baths and the scary hoover, and is always unhappy when his parents are working rather than playing with him.

To read more about Kent’s furry, flying and finned friends, click here.

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