From Christmas presents to Christmas dinner: what should people be doing for their pets this year?

Kittens need to be well socialised so that they grow up to be calm, friendly pets. To find out more about this, listen to this podcast.

At this time of year, fireworks cause many dogs (and cats) to get upset because they are afraid of the sights, sounds and smells. Listen to this podcast to learn how to help pets stay calm and relaxed at this time of year.

Do you ever wash your dog or cat? This is one of the routine parts of pet care which many people wonder about. How often should a pet be washed? What sort of shampoo or soap should be used? How long should it be left on? To find out, listen to this podcast.

Some pet owners have lost their trust in vaccinations, and as a consequence, they are refusing to have their pets vaccinated according to their vets' recommendations. As a result, epidemics of diseases like Parvovirus are starting to happen again. This podcast runs over the history and background to this topic.

Puppy farms tend to produce pups that grow up to be adult dogs with behavioural problems, and the UK has been very progressive in tackling these issues. The UK has just passed "Lucy's Law" which bans the sale of puppies by third parties such as pet shops, on the internet etc. This podcast explains the background to this ban, plus the likely impact on the Irish dog exports.

After a brief mention of "bee rescue", this week's talk focusses on the truth about animal cruelty legislation and enforcement in Ireland.

Pedigree cats need to be bred with care, choosing only healthy individuals without extreme conformation (such as flat faces or odd-shaped ears), and health testing should be done to prevent inherited diseases. To find out more, listen to this podcast.

A swan in a local harbour was attacked by a dog and badly injured. To find out what happened, listen to this podcast.

Every summer dogs die in cars, whether parked or being driven by the owner. So everyone, please be very very careful. Listen to the podcast to find out more.