Colchester: readers' cute pets for National Pet Month

April 1 to May 1 is National Pet Month, a national awareness campaign run by UK Pet Food and the animal health representative body NOAH.

The month-long celebratory event aims to highlight the positive effects of pets on our mental and physical health, and the bond we have with our animal companions.

To celebrate, here are 20 adorable pictures of your pets in celebration of National Pet Month, which residents shared with us on Facebook.

Alexandra Voicu is the proud owner of the six month old cat, Cataleya.

Cute - Catelya the cat (Image: Public)

Justnya shared an image of her six-year-old canine, Rocky.

Pet - Rocky (Image: Public)

Jay Esposito is the proud owner of three male and female pet snakes.

Fantastic - three pet snakes (Image: Public)

Commenter Andy Lee has shared an incredible photo of a wild fox, he claims it is "our wild pet."

Amazing - a wild fox that Andy Lee calls his pet (Image: Public)

Andrew Wiseman has shared a photo of his pet tortoise.

Friend - Andrew Wiseman's pet tortoise (Image: National Pet Month)

Kovu is a gorgeous Akita dog owned by Nicola Goodall.

Fluffy - Kovu (Image: Public)

Here is a fabulous photo of Amelia Hall's bird, Lola.

Bird - Lola (Image: Public)

Facebook user Kerry Rogers has a pony called Boris.

Majestic - Boris the pony (Image: Public)

Suzy Burnett could be a Star Wars fan as she has a 13-year-old cat named Anakin who is reportedly the boss of the house.

Funny - Anakin sleeping (Image: Public)

Lucy Smith is the proud owner of two dogs called Reuben and Otis.

Comfy - Reuben and Otis (Image: Public)

Samantha Bullard's blue whippet canine celebrated her birthday last month.

Birthday girl - Samantha Bullard's pet dog (Image: Public)

Katy Lock has a young dog called Buster who's only 10 months old. He apparently has not got the hang of frisbee yet according to Katy.

Cute - Buster the dog (Image: Public)

Belinda Trenfield submitted a brilliant photo of her 11-year-old cat, Tiger.

Camera ready - Tiger the cat (Image: Public)

Wendy Goodridge shared a great photo of her cat, Cookie, who is clearly taking it easy.

Comfortable - Cookie (Image: Public)

Sonia Caines took this photo of her pet tortoise under a Christmas tree.

On the move - Silus the tortoise (Image: Public)

Jodie Orr shared an image of Maxi, a Romanian rescue kitten.

Lovely - Maxi the kitten (Image: Public)

Is this a potential nod to The Matrix films? Shona Foster has revealed a stunning image of her dog, Morpheus.

Cool - Morpheus (Image: Public)

Claire Irving has a colourful pet bird called Franky.

Colorful - Franky the bird (Image: Public)

Jody Nancarrow has shared a heart warming photo of her pet dogs, Snoopy and Poppy.

Sleepy - Snoopy and Poppy (Image: Public)

Finally, Sky Jackson has shared an image of her two pet dogs, Lola and Luna.

Cute - Lola and Luna (Image: Public)