Classic FM’s programme for pets is back, helping animals
and their owners stay stress-free this bonfire night season
Pet Classics with Charlotte Hawkins
Friday 4th and Saturday 5th November, 5pm to 9pm
Classic FM is announcing the return of Pet Classics, one of its best loved, original programmes, to help keep anxious pets – and their owners – calm and relaxed this fireworks season.
The news comes as an RSPCA survey reveals that playing relaxing music to animals is the most popular way people calm their pets when fireworks can be heard.
Now in its fifth year, Pet Classics is hosted by Classic FM’s weekend presenter and dog-lover, Charlotte Hawkins, and will be broadcast on Friday 4th November, with a second programme on Saturday 5th November – Guy Fawkes Night – traditionally the busiest evening of the year for firework displays. By popular demand, both shows will be on air from 5pm, an hour earlier than last year, until 9pm.
Once again, Classic FM is teaming up with the RSPCA to create the programmes and curate the music. Both shows will be packed with the most soothing and comforting classical music, handpicked by Classic FM to help calm and settle any anxious pet. The music selection includes classical pieces connected to animals, such as the Pavane by the French composer Fauré, who was affectionately known as ‘The Cat’ by his friends due to his good looks and charm, as well as relaxing music from animal-lover Richard Wagner, whose pets included a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Peps and a St. Hubert hound named Pohl.
Pet Classics will also feature dedications to listeners’ pets and advice from the RSPCA for any owners looking to reassure their animals. Full information will be available at ClassicFM.com. In honour of Pet Classics’ original host, a special dedication and tribute to Bill Turnbull will be included as part of the programme this year.
Recently, a survey by the RSPCA* revealed that two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported that their pet was distressed during fireworks season. Playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help relax or prepare their animal, along with taking their animal elsewhere (29%). Many kennels and rehoming centres use the power of classical music to decrease stress levels amongst their animals.
In the past five years since its inception, Pet Classics has received a massive audience response, with #PetClassics trending at number one on Twitter last year, and with 10 million impressions on social media across the Bonfire Night season. In 2021, Classic FM received thousands of pictures of listeners’ pets and animals, relaxing to the progarmmes, ranging from dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, to horses, tortoises, parrots, hedgehogs, goldfish and an iguana!
In addition to Pet Classics, Classic FM has created a playlist of peaceful classical music for the nation’s pets, which is available anytime on Global Player.
“I am so thrilled to be hosting Pet Classics again this year, as it’s such a special show. I’ve seen first-hand from my dog just how difficult a time it can be for pets during the fireworks, but it’s amazing the difference relaxing music can have in helping to calm and soothe animals.
“We had such an overwhelming response to Pet Classics last year, it was so good seeing the impact the music made to pets up and down the country. We were sent photos of dogs, cats, birds, horses and even a chilled-out iguana… so I’m looking forward to people joining in again this year and sending me lots of photos of their calm pets!”
Classic FM’s Charlotte Hawkins
“We know fireworks are a source of stress for animals each year, and that owners can really struggle with knowing what to do for the best. It’s one of the reasons we are delighted to partner with Classic FM on their Pet Classics programmes, as studies show that calming music can be beneficial for some animals during this time.
“I’d suggest keeping your home as quiet as possible, shutting the curtains, creating a safe haven with blankets and a favourite toy for your pet, sticking the radio on and having a chill out evening. We’d also encourage people holding displays to be mindful of animals who live outside. My own rescue dog Frank struggles at this time of year and he finds it reassuring to know we are there at home with him, so that’s where I’ll be this year.”
RSPCA Chief Inspector Clare Dew
Pet Classics with Charlotte Hawkins will be broadcast on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th November from 5pm to 9pm, on Classic FM – available across the UK on 100-102 FM, Global Player, DAB digital radio and TV, and at ClassicFM.com.
