The Pets Mag Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Pets Magazine Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Ilona Holcomb from ImpriMed, a pioneering biotech company based in Silicon Valley. ImpriMed is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to personalise cancer treatment for pets – applying cutting-edge insights from human oncology to improve veterinary outcomes.

Dr Holcomb explains how AI-driven testing can help predict which therapies will work best for individual pets, saving precious time and improving quality of life for animals and their families. It’s a fascinating conversation about the future of cancer care, the emotional impact of diagnosis, and the exciting possibilities technology is unlocking in veterinary medicine.

If you’re passionate about pets, science or innovation, this is one not to miss!

In this powerful and moving episode, we speak with Dr Saif Alden, heading up the team of vets leading emergency animal care for Safe Haven for Donkeys in Gaza.

Since April 2024, Dr Saif and his team have been running a mobile clinic that has treated thousands of animals, including working donkeys, horses, and beloved pets, amidst the devastating humanitarian crisis.

Dr Saif shares:

• The challenges of providing veterinary care in a war zone
• Heartbreaking and hopeful stories from the field
• The essential role animals play in daily life in Gaza
• How Safe Haven for Donkeys is offering lifelines to both animals and owners
• What you can do to support these vital efforts

This is a deeply human and animal story - one of compassion, courage, and the quiet resilience of creatures caught in chaos.

In this heartfelt opening episode, we speak with acclaimed singer-songwriter Rod Thomas, known to fans as Bright Light Bright Light. Rod, who has performed with the likes of Cher, Scissor Sisters and Elton John, talks about the emotional inspiration behind his moving new single on pet loss. Rod shares the story of his beloved cat, the bond they shared, and how grief and love are woven into his music.

A tender and uplifting conversation on loss, memory, and the healing power of song.

An interview with Daniel Brockman, Professor of Small Animal Surgery and the Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Royal Veterinary College. 

In this powerful episode of The Pets Mag Podcast, Marie Carter-Robb speaks with one of the world’s leading veterinary surgeons about a quiet revolution taking place inside one of Britain’s most advanced operating theatres.

Mitral valve disease affects the vast majority of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by the age of eight. Until recently, the condition was considered untreatable by surgery.

But now, thanks to a groundbreaking programme at the Royal Veterinary College, dogs with early-stage heart failure are being given a second chance at life through mitral valve repair – an intricate, open-heart procedure available at just three centres in the English-speaking world.

Professor Brockman walks us through the science, the stories, and the soul of this extraordinary work – from surgical risk and emotional toll to the ethics, cost, and long-term hope for dogs and their families.

To learn more about MVD, early warning signs, and surgery eligibility, listen to the full interview – or visit:

www.petsmag.co.uk/podcast

More information about mitral valve repair surgery:

www.rvc.ac.uk

One dog. One day. One last chance at hope.

At Stem Cell Vet, each patient gets a full day of focused care – no rush, no conveyor belt. These are the dogs who’ve tried everything: physio, surgery, pain meds. Still struggling. Still hurting.

Enter Dr Stewart Halperin – the UK’s leading pioneer in regenerative veterinary medicine. Using stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and joint fluid therapy, he offers something rare: a second chance.

Not just pain relief – repair. Not just treatment – transformation.

What do a romantic castle, a motorway escape, and a dog named Tum Tum have in common? They all feature in our fabulous new Pets Mag Podcast episode with none other than Lady Colin Campbell – Royal biographer, broadcaster, and devoted Cavalier companion.

Lady C opens up about life with her beloved Mickey and Aurora (two irresistible Cavaliers with very big personalities), her past pups (including a dog who foiled a kidnapping), and why she believes in love that never ends… even after life.

This month on the Pets Mag Podcast, we’re welcoming someone many of you will recognise from your telly – Daniel Lustig-Webb, known for his sharp wit and fabulous hair on Channel 4’s Gogglebox. But today, it’s not the sofa that’s centre stage – it’s the soft paws and wagging tails of his two miniature poodles, Betsey and Babs.

In our latest My Pet feature, Daniel opens up about life with his playful pair – from daily routines and funny moments to the unique bond that’s made them more than just pets. With 121,000 Instagram followers eagerly keeping up with their adventures, Betsey and Babs are stars in their own right – and they’ve been right by Daniel’s side through thick and thin.

So pop the kettle on, give your dog a cuddle, and join us for a heartwarming chat about love, loyalty, and the little rituals that make life with dogs so special. 

In this deeply moving episode of The Pets Mag Podcast, host Marie Carter-Robb speaks with Academy Award® nominee Laura Checkoway and the remarkable Eshete, whose life and love for stray cats inspired the short documentary The Cat Man Eshete.

From escaping civil war in Ethiopia to finding peace on the streets of Brooklyn, Eshete’s story is one of trauma, devotion and the healing power of animals.

We talk about how cats gave him a reason to carry on, how neighbours went from calling the police to bringing him food, and how this quiet, poetic man has become the soul of his community.

🎥 Watch the documentary via Al Jazeera’s Witness series: YouTube – The Cat Man Eshete

🌐 More episodes: petsmag.co.uk/podcast

📸 @laurachecks | 🐾

Marie Carter-Robb meets canine behaviourist Collette Jacobs from Hounds ‘n’ Harmony to explore how an unusual therapy is helping dogs overcome anxiety, trauma and even chronic pain – one muscle test at a time.

In this latest episode, host Marie Carter-Robb ‘visits’ one of the UK’s most extraordinary animal welfare centres: Raystede in East Sussex. Set across 43 acres of rehoming paddocks, lakes and education spaces, the sanctuary has even doubled as a filming location – most recently for Channel 4’s GoodWoof.

Marie meets zoologist and Head of Education, Gemma Price, who shares her unique journey into animal care – one that started not with a CV, but with a dinner plate–sized terrapin and a spark of realisation. Together, they explore what it really takes to look after so-called ‘starter pets’, and reveal the true scale of the rescue effort – including a rabbit waiting list that’s longer than your arm.