Helping pets (and their owners) stay relaxed this firework season
Dan Walker and Charlotte Hawkins to present two programmes on Classic FM with calming classical music and practical advice from the RSPCA
Saturday 2nd November and Tuesday 5th November, 5pm to 9pm on Classic FM and Global Player
Classic FM – the UK’s most popular classical music station – has announced today (Wednesday 23rd October) the return of its groundbreaking and hugely popular programme to help keep anxious pets (and their owners!) relaxed this firework season.
Classic FM’s Pet Classics is back; two special shows, hosted by Charlotte Hawkins, who’s presented the programme since 2021, and Classic FM Breakfast presenter and dog-owner Dan Walker, who joins Pet Classics this year. Charlotte will host the first programme on Saturday 2nd November, 5pm to 9pm – to coincide with the busiest evening for public firework displays – and Dan will host a second show on Bonfire Night, Tuesday 5th November, 5pm to 9pm.
In what can be a stressful and frightening time for pets, Classic FM is partnering with the RSPCA once again to create the programmes and provide an audio sanctuary for the nation’s animals. From the RSPCA’s impact survey last year, 67% of respondents reported that private back garden displays were the cause of their animals’ fear response, and that playing relaxing music is the most common way pet owners help relax or prepare their animals for Bonfire Night.
Both Pet Classics programmes have been specially curated to feature the most soothing classical music to calm any nervous pet or anxious owner. Many of the music choices and composers are connected with animals such as Camille Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals: The Swan; Elgar’s Mina, his last work which he named after his Cairn Terrier, and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.17. Mozart owned a pet starling whose song features in the concerto.
Alongside the soothing music, Charlotte and Dan will read out personal dedications to listeners’ pets. Last year, Classic FM received thousands of pictures of pets and animals, relaxing to the programmes, ranging from dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, to horses, tortoises, hedgehogs, goldfish, snakes and a spider! Since its launch in 2018, Classic FM’s Pet Classics has become one of the station’s most popular programmes of the year.
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In the build-up to Bonfire Night, Classic FM will share practical advice and key tips from the RSPCA to help listeners prepare their pets, with further advice read out during the programmes. Full information will be available at Global Player and ClassicFM.com. In addition to Pet Classics, the leading animal charity has launched its new #BeAKindSpark campaign, encouraging people to make one positive change to help animals this fireworks season.
Also, for listeners who would like to enjoy soothing classical music 24/7, Classic FM recently launched a new radio station across the UK – Classic FM Calm – available on Global Player the official Classic FM app, on smart speakers, and on DAB in the Greater London area.
“It’s always an absolute joy to host Classic FM’s Pet Classics, and to welcome everyone – snuggly or scaley – to our radio oasis. It’s one of my favourite shows of the year to present. We know that classical music has a positive effect on humans and pets alike, and it’s fantastic to see that in action, through the thousands of photos and videos we receive of listeners’ pets relaxing and dozing off. In fact, it’s the one programme where I want my audience to go to sleep with the radio on!”
Charlotte Hawkins, Classic FM presenter“I am looking forward to joining Charlotte and the Pet Classics team this year. I love classical music and I love animals so what more could you want? Our dog Winnie is a cockapoo and I know that fireworks can be a problem for thousands of pets and animals.
We created Pet Classics to provide a sanctuary, filled with the most relaxing music, when fireworks can be at their loudest. If, like me, you’re new to Pet Classics, come and join us, and bring your pets!”
Dan Walker, Classic FM Breakfast host
Carrie Stones, Campaign Manager at the RSPCA, said: “We are thrilled to partner once again with Classic FM to help pet owners everywhere soothe their pets during fireworks season. Many animals and their owners find fireworks very hard to cope with, which is why we’re calling on the nation to remember their neighbours – including pets, wildlife and farmed animals – this Guy Fawkes Night.
There are simple but effective changes anyone can make to reduce the impact displays have on their neighbours and animals, and ensure they’re enjoying the fun responsibly. By arming people with information and guidance we hope to build greater compassion and actions that benefit people and animals. That’s why our new Kind Sparks campaign encourages community actions which benefit both people and animals. Listening to Classic FM is a simple but very effective way to help your animals too – I will certainly be tuning in with my own two dogs, as I know many other people will too, including our rescue centres and branches.”
Classic FM’s Pet Classics is broadcast on Saturday 2nd November, 5pm to 9pm, hosted by Charlotte Hawkins, with a second programme on Tuesday 5th November, 5pm to 9pm, hosted by Dan Walker.
Classic FM is available across the UK on Global Player– the official Classic FM app – on your smart speaker, iOS or Android device, and on 100-102 FM, DAB+ digital radio and TV and at ClassicFM.com.
