Purina has a job opening that pays in cash and cuddles.

The pet care company said in July it is looking for one puppy and one kitten to serve as chief snuggle officers, with $25,000 salaries. Purina will also donate $10,000 to a local shelter near each winner.

The roles are meant to set the “standard for top-tier snuggles and cuteness.” Responsibilities include promoting good nutrition, growth and lots of play.

The position does not require executive experience, but Purina said it calls for “a strong track record in comfort delivery, cross-functional cuddle collaboration, and consistent performance in high-stress situations (i.e., Mondays).” Contest rules say, “Judges look for personality, snuggle skills, creativity, and clear presentation.”

Purina said it received more than 2,000 entries during the application period from July 1 to 17. It has now named six finalists, three puppies and three kittens. Public voting will decide one puppy winner and one kitten winner.

Among the puppy finalists is Teddy, an 11-week-old Maltipoo from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, owned by Beverley Torres. At 1.1 kilograms, Teddy is “driven by playtime and expert-level snuggling,” and logs “numerous daily hours in rigorous playtime.” Purina said he has “mastered the pillow fluff cuddle.”

Torres said she received Teddy as an engagement gift from her fiancé, Jarret. “The moment I saw his little brown eyes and cute pointed ears, my heart just melted and I knew he was meant to be mine,” Torres said. “It felt like he looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes and chose me right then and there! It was definitely puppy-love at first sight.”

Genji, a 3-month-old Shiba Inu from Fairview Heights, Illinois, is also in the running. Owner Khelly Sta Rita said he joined the family after they lost their senior dog. Purina said Genji has learned his name, responds to “sit” and “stay” and has never had a crate incident.

Sta Rita said she had wanted a “Shiba Inu for years” and found Genji after the death of her senior dog, Smokey. “A tiny red puppy who happened to be the only boy in a litter of three,” Sta Rita said. “The breeder called him the gentle one.”

“The quiet little puppy we first met has completely come out of his shell,” Sta Rita said. “These days he’s a confident little trouble-making land shark who somehow keeps us laughing every single day.”

The third puppy finalist is Bowie, a 4-month-old Dalmatian from Watsonville, California, owned by Kimmy Bonnema. Purina described Bowie as “Equal parts comedian, troublemaker, cuddle bug, and loyal little shadow,” and said she is a professional tail-wagger, lap warmer and “head of security at her home.”

Bonnema said her daughter Kali had wanted a dalmatian since she was 3. “When she turned 8, we finally decided it was time to make her dream come true, and that’s how Bowie came into our lives,” Bonnema said.

Bonnema said the family hopes Bowie will eventually become a service dog for their 3-year-old son Blake, who is diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. “But for now, she has already given him something incredibly important: comfort, companionship, laughter, and unconditional love,” Bonnema said.

On the kitten side, Charli, a 3-month-old Himalayan Persian kitten from Long Beach, California, is one of the finalists. Owner Cris Davila said Charli is a bedtime cuddle expert whose favorite place is between two pillows, though “she’s also happy sleeping right on top of them ‘like the little queen she is.'”

Davila said Charli is obsessed with the air-conditioner. When it turns on, “she runs to her cat tree, uses it to jump up onto the bed, and immediately claims her favorite pillow spot.” Davila said Charli then slowly starts “turning her head from side to side, making sure the cool air hits every part of her face.”

Cashew, a 3-month-old kitten from Wyoming, New York, is another finalist. Owner Danielle Meyers said Cashew, also known as “Cash,” “Cashman,” and “Mr. Man,” was rescued from a dairy farm after he “purr-posely fell into an unsafe spot (a dairy cow feeder) in front of (his) new Mom, who had to take (him) home!”

Meyers said, “Maybe it’s the farm in him, but Cashew is a very go-with-the-flow cat, tackling every new adventure he has in stride.” She also said Cashew is an emotional support kitten for his dog sister, who does not like thunder, the laundry or fireworks.

The final kitten finalist is Melvin, a 6-month-old cat from Denver, Colorado, owned by Sydney Bar-Or. Born on Valentine’s Day, Melvin has been “spreading love since the moment he arrived,” with “expert-level cuddling, nightly sleepovers, and stuffed-animal snuggles.”

Bar-Or said Melvin has overcome two parasites, an upper respiratory infection and an eye infection. “Through every vet visit and difficult day, he has remained gentle, trusting, and unbelievably affectionate,” Bar-Or said. “He has never let what he has been through change his sweet nature.”

Bar-Or said Melvin is “absolutely obsessed” with them and “refusing ‘to sleep anywhere but on top of me or curled right against my side.'” Bar-Or added, “For a breed that’s supposed to be calm and reserved, Melvin loves out loud.”

Voting is open on Purina’s website until Sept. 30. The company said the two winners will be announced in early October.

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