Animal instinct: This People spinoff puts the spotlight on pets.

Every now and again, we’ll receive frantic emails from friends, urging us to vote for their pets in online photo contests. Now, People magazine has created a space just for these animal enthusiasts: Its new site, PeoplePets.com, offers social networking for pets! Between that and our favorite Twittering cat Sockington, we figure flying pigs can’t be too far off.

How it works: Click here to register and begin creating your and your pet’s profiles. You can enter as little or as much information about yourself as you want, from your proudest moment as a pet owner to your favorite animal celebrity. The really fun part, though, is filling out Fido or Fluffy’s profile. Here, you can recount your furry friend’s likes and dislikes, cutest habit, favorite toys, even preferred nap spots.

As a member, you can also upload videos and photos of your pet, which are eligible for entertaining features such as “Click the Cutest.” To interact with other members, simply click on Meet Other Pets to browse profiles and give electronic “hugs.” For fun, check out the Photos section for heartwarming images of baby animals, pet friends and adopted dogs and cats.

This being People, the site also features news and photos of celebrities and their pets, including the latest It toys, accessories and clothing adored by America’s most privileged dogs, cats, birds and more. (VIVmag’s July/August cover models, Beth Ostrosky Stern and her English bulldog, Bianca, were recently featured.)

We like the idea of creating an online community for pet lovers. For more animal love, check out VIVmag’s special pet issue!

Tags: Human Interest, online photo contests, Pet, Pets, social networking