Stanislaus County’s cutest cat is ‘spunky’ & ‘friendly.’ Meet pet contest winner
The final votes are in, and Modesto Bee readers have chosen Stanislaus County’s most purr-fect kitty.
JoJo, a lynx point Siamese from Modesto, claimed the top spot in The Bee’s pet photo contest.
She beat out a litter of adorable competitors, earning 67% of more than 1,000 votes.
Owner Apryl Hughes said she was “so excited” to hear her beloved JoJo had won.
“She is an amazing cat, and I want others to know how incredible she is,” Hughes said.
Here’s what to know about Stanislaus County’s cutest cat:
How did Stanislaus County’s cutest cat come into your life?
Hughes adopted JoJo from ASTRO Foundation Inc. in Oakdale in September 2021.
The nonprofit rescues and rehomes cats and dogs from Riverbank, Oakdale and Escalon.
“I looked and applied for multiple cats before being able to adopt JoJo,” Hughes said.
After nearly giving up, she decided to try one more time — and that’s when she found JoJo.
“She is named after my grandma,” Hughes said. “She passed away in 2020, and her middle name was Jo.”
What’s it like having JoJo in your life?
Hughes describes JoJo as a “spunky, friendly and adventurous” cat.
Napping is JoJo’s favorite pastime.
“She enjoys napping on top of my car in the garage,” Hughes said.
She also loves curling up for naps with Hughes.
“Snuggling is our favorite,” Hughes said. “She has the power of the purr.”
When she’s not napping, JoJo loves chasing toys and even does flips while playing.
Hughes said JoJo also enjoys visiting Big Valley Christian School in Modesto to spend time with her students.
She’s a big sister to her fellow contest competitor, Lottie, as well.
What are JoJo’s funniest or quirkiest habits?
JoJo loves following Hughes around the house, greeting guests at the door and walking outdoors on a leash.
JoJo also enjoys lickable treats.
“She can’t get enough of them,” Hughes said. “She will get up on her hind legs to get to it.”
When JoJo is “making biscuits” — that adorable kneading motion cats do on blankets or pillows — she often sucks on the blanket as well, Hughes said.
“It is adorable,” she said.
Who is the cutest cat and dog in the United States?
Cutest cat and dog contests are taking place at more than 20 McClatchy newspapers across the United States.
The winners from each market will automatically be entered into a second contest to determine the Cutest Cat and Cutest Dog in the country, launching Monday, Nov. 10.
This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
