Brand new RTÉ TV series to feature episode filmed in Tipperary

76 animals. Six locations. Two Irish stars. One Pet Mobile.

Put them all together and you’ve got RTE Kid’s brand-new family series The Big Pet Project — a wild celebration of Ireland’s most extraordinary pets and the people who love them.

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From surfing dogs to painting ponies and goal-scoring turtles, 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.

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.

And it’s not just the public who are pet crazy.

Every episode includes a celebrity challenge with influencer Miriam Mullins and her 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!”

This week’s episode airs December 20 at 5:15pm on RTÉ One, and afterwards on RTÉ Player and the RTÉ Kids YouTube channel.

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Filmed on location at Brookfield Farm, Coolbawn, Nenagh, Demi and Adam meet an unforgettable mix of Tipperary families and their remarkable animals, including:

- Ella (9) with Snowy the pony, as she helps lead, groom and care for the horses her family breeds;

- Emer with Belle the rabbit, who visits vet Dr Bobby for a check-up after being rescued and rehabilitated through Rabbit Rescue Ireland;

- Freya with Lucy the hedgehog, and her brother Jamie (12) with Rocky the Cayman lizard;

- Iarlaith (13) with Woody the goat — one of two mischievous goats on his family’s small holding, where animals play a big part in daily life;

- Mehrsam with Lucky the famously stinky musk turtle;

- Molly with Elliott, an award-winning sniffer dog who has achieved bronze, silver and gold UK Sniffer Dog awards — the first in Ireland to do so — and Gertie the dancing dog;

- Naomi (9) with Liath, her energetic and “bouncy” cat;

- Roisin (8) with Lucky the lamb;

- Plus a three-legged dog named Noní, and resident farm cats Slim Shady, Púca and Mr Bubbles.

The episode also visits Scoil Chormaic in Cashel, where Demi and Adam learn how the school’s own farm helps students connect with animals and hands-on learning.