Channel 4 is in the box with viewers tuning in to its new series about UK pet owners.
The broadcaster commissioned the documentary in four parts Fur Babies last year, waiting for the bundles of fluff to appeal to the British‘softer side and for the program to be a success.
Follow the journey of pet owners navigating their pets pregnancy and birth – kind of like One born every minutebut focus on our four-legged friends.
Veterinarians James Greenwood and Bolu Eso are on standby with the latter technology and expert knowledge to help those who have a waiting cat, dog golden guinea pig.
Despite having attended hundreds of deliveries, the couple says it’s still a “refreshing experience” every time that “makes them well with emotions.”
But viewers do not share the same sentiment as the animal experts after sitting down to watch the Channel 4 shows
Greenwood had warned that animal pregnancy is “not always an easy road” when Fur Babies It was first announced in 2022.
He said: “We want to highlight the ups and downs of pet pregnancy and show how important it is for families considering breeding their pets to do so under the guidance and support of their vets.
“We have seen firsthand the shocking consequences of unscrupulous animal husbandry in recent years.”
Eso also added: “It’s exciting to be part of a program that focuses on the nuances of pet ownership and here we are first hand, able to show the wonder of animal pregnancy, but also to show all the factors that contribute to raising our animals responsibly.”
Purpose Fur Babies it was slammed as “tone deaf”. social media users calling on the British to boycott the program.
Some people accuse the documentary of “breeding promotion” at a time of year when animal shelters are apt to fail.
One said: “Seriously? @Channel4 Whose brilliant idea was this? An entire series dedicated to dog/cat breeding when rescues are literally overrun with unwanted animals? Promoting breeding is disgraceful at all times , but especially now with Christmas coming up too!”
Another wrote: “I can’t believe what I’m watching…..seriously Channel 4, what were you thinking?”
A third added: “Rescues are overflowing with unwanted animals and #Channel4 think it’s a good idea to do a program called #FurBabies about breeding.
A quarter commented: “Good Grief #Channel4 what were you thinking? Breeding promotion when the UK bailout is on its knees? You’ve lost the plot.”
And a fifth said: “How tone deaf of @Channel4 to host a show about breeding cats and dogs, especially at this time of year when rescue centers are flooded with abandoned animals.”
Animal rights organization PETA UK also shared their thoughts Fur Babies in a place on X (Twitter) amid the ongoing backlash.
He said: “What was @Channel4 thinking? #FurBabies promoting animal breeding while shelters are full of unwanted dogs and cats.
“Every time someone fosters or buys, an animal in a shelter loses its chance to find a home. #AdoptDontShop.”
Channel 4 told a disgruntled viewer that the series “provides a unique perspective around the strength of the mutual bond between pet owners”.
He added: “The series does not tolerate the breeding of animals for sale and the animals presented came through an application process in line with the prerequisite that the animal should already be waiting.”
LADbible has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
