RTE’s The Big Pet Project comes to Donegal for an episode

The Big Pet Project, a brand-new TV series on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, is heading to Donegal in this week’s episode. 

Hosted by pet lovers Demi Oviawe and Adam Beales, the series celebrates Ireland’s weirdest, wackiest and most talented pets and animals.

In this Donegal-based episode, Demi and Adam: Face their fears with a real-life tarantula, Go head-to-head with a Shetland pony in a painting competition and visit a local family with more animals than a petting zoo

This week’s episode airs on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. on RTÉ One, and afterwards on RTÉ Player and the RTÉ Kids YouTube channel. 

The Big Pet Project introduces viewers to Ireland’s weirdest, wackiest and most talented animals. Join actress Demi Oviawe (The Young Offenders) and content creator Adam Beales (Bro’s in Control) as they jump into their “Pet Mobile” and travel across Ireland to meet the nation’s most pet-obsessed people. 

But with Adam terrified of rodents and spiders — and Demi still learning the difference between a pony and a horse — what could possibly go wrong?

Produced by County Antrim’s HopSkip Studios and filmed across Dublin, Wicklow, Tipperary, Galway, Donegal and Belfast, The Big Pet Project is a fast-paced, feel-good celebration of the bond between people and their pets. Expect axolotls in Belfast, turtles in Tipperary, hawks in Wicklow, pygmy goats in Donegal, a giant millipede in Galway and an oversized pig in Dublin!

Each episode also features a fascinating visit to the veterinary surgery of exotic animal specialist Dr Bobby Ortiz, who opens up the medical files on some incredible creatures — from macaws to African pygmy hedgehogs.

Every episode includes a celebrity challenge with influencer Miriam Mullins and her adorable dog Lucy, inviting audiences at home to join in the fun.

“I had so much fun on The Big Pet Project,” says presenter Demi Oviawe, “I was so shook at some of the unusual pets people keep! We even had a teenager with three generations of garden snails!”

“You’ve heard the saying ‘Never work with children or animals’ -well, we decided to do both!” laughs producer Kate Finn. “ And it’s proved to be a magic combination. Every episode of this series is packed full of unusual, talented and adorable animals and equally adorable and talented people!”

The Big Pet Project is a six-part series for RTÉ Kids, premiering on RTÉ One at 5:15pm, with all episodes available to stream the same day on RTÉ Player.

Produced by HopSkip Studios for RTÉ Kids, with additional funding from Northern Ireland Screen.