Classic FM has announced the return of its much-loved programme to help keep anxious pets – and their owners – calm and relaxed this fireworks season.
Classic FM’s Pet Classics returns for its sixth year on-air and will be hosted by the station’s weekend presenter and dog-lover Charlotte Hawkins. It will be broadcast on Saturday 4th November from 5pm, with a second programme on Sunday 5th November from 5pm – Bonfire Night – to coincide with the busiest evenings of the year for firework displays. Once again, the programme has been created by Classic FM with support from the RSPCA.
The programme offers a safe sanctuary for pets, during what can be a stressful and frightening time for them. A 2022 impact survey by the RSPCA found that 76% of respondents reported dogs experiencing distress as a result of fireworks. Previously, the animal charity has revealed that playing relaxing music is the most common way pet owners help relax or prepare their animals for Bonfire Night.
Each programme will feature a carefully curated selection of the most soothing classical music, specially chosen to calm any nervous pet or anxious owner. In addition, the selection includes classical music connected to animals, such as Mina by composer Edward Elgar, which he wrote about his much-loved Cairn Terrier; the Carnival of the Animals: The Swan by Camille Saint Saëns, and Piano Concerto No.17 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart owned a pet starling, whose song is featured in the concerto. Alongside the music, Charlotte will feature personal dedications to listeners’ pets.
In the lead-up to Bonfire Night, Classic FM will share important tips and advice from the RSPCA to help listeners prepare their pets for the weekend ahead. During the programmes, there will be further advice from the programme’s new sponsor, Butcher’s Nourishing Food for Dogs. Full information will be available at ClassicFM.com.
In addition to Pet Classics, Classic FM has created a playlist of peaceful classical music for the nation’s pets, which is available anytime for free on Global Player, Global’s entertainment hub.
Since its launch in 2018, Classic FM’s Pet Classics has grown to become one of the station’s most popular programmes of the year. 2022 saw 4.4million video views for the programme across Classic FM’s social media channels and a 3000% increase in video views on TikTok. Last year, Classic FM also received thousands of pictures of listeners’ pets and animals, relaxing to the programme, ranging from dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, to horses, tortoises, hedgehogs, goldfish and a spider!
Classic FM presenter Charlotte Hawkins
“It’s an honour to host Classic FM’s Pet Classics again this year. It is such a special and heart-warming programme, with the most wonderful community of listeners. We know the positive effects that classical music has on humans and pets alike, especially during stressful and challenging times, so I have the perfect selection of calming music lined up to settle and sooth even the most anxious listener.Everyone is welcome to my radio sanctuary – from the furry to the feathered – and I look forward to all the photos and videos of pets chilling out with me and enjoying the music.”
Classic FM’s Pet Classics with Charlotte Hawkins will be broadcast on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November, 5pm to 9pm, on Classic FM – available across the UK on Global Player, 100-102 FM, DAB digital radio and TV, and at ClassicFM.com.
