Episode 10 Pet School

Hi, I'm Luke Franks. It's the final day of term at Pet School.

And hopefully, the thunder isn't a sign of bad news to come.

It's a nervous time for our Pet Heads.

They're going to find out whether they've proved to their parents

they can be responsible enough to have the pet they've always wanted.

And I can promise you this - there's going to be tears,

there's going to be triumphs,

today is one school day you don't want to miss.

Nine pet-crazy kids.

I would like to have a dog.

I would really like a rabbit.

I really want a pet rat.

101 animals needing care and attention.

THEY SHOUT

Two incredible weeks.

HE SCREAMS

But have our Pet Heads got the animal know-how...

Ugh, they poo, ugh!

..to persuade their parents they've got what it takes

to have a pet of their very own?

Has she proved to you she can be a responsible pet owner?

Is she getting a pet?

Previously on Pet School.

Parents' Day turned Pet School into Pet Squeal.

THEY SQUEAL

Uh-oh. He's going to take it.

Oh! I screamed like a girl.

And coming up today, it's decision time for our Pet Heads.

Today's big decision is really nerve-racking.

If I don't get a pet, I think I'll be quite devastated.

Come in out of the rain, Pet Heads, it's time for morning assembly!

-Hello.

-ALL: Hi!

Welcome to the last ever morning assembly.

ALL: Aw!

-Sad day, but also a big day, right?

-ALL: Yeah.

Because some of you are going to be graduating from Pet Heads

to pet owners. One last chance to prove yourself.

-The final ever Pet Practice.

-We've got to pass.

Got to do it properly, you've got to pass today... Surely.

-Shall we find out your groups?

-ALL: Yes!

-Group one - Lauren, Thomas, Chloe.

-Ooh.

You are going to be with the ferrets.

-ALL: Oh!

-You're so lucky, they are so good!

Group two - William, Courtney and Tommy. You are with the hamsters.

-Yay!

-Yes, your pet buddy. You going to give them some tips?

Patch likes to be handled quite close to you,

but Ziggy doesn't really like to be handled at all.

-Got to know them properly.

-Yeah.

Let's do it, cool.

And group three - obviously, Ananya's still not very well,

there's two of you in this group. Sam and Faramaz,

you are with our feathered friends, the budgies.

Don't let yourselves down on the final one for the last day.

Got to make it a big one. Do the hat trick.

Get it done, last ever Pet Practice, see you later, bye!

-Bye, Luke.

-See you, Luke.

Over the past two weeks,

Pet Practice has really challenged our Pet Heads.

Some have found things difficult, some have found things scary,

and some have really shone as superstar pet carers.

But as they start one final, ultimate Pet Practice,

can they pull together in a team,

or are they just going to run around like escaped animals on the loose?

Over at the ferret enclosure,

the team are definitely not going to run around

like escaped animals on the loose.

Bring this on!

OK, maybe they are!

Today, their task is to give

the ferrets a full clean-out.

"It's a big task, so you have 40 minutes to do it, and guess what?

"You decide between who is going to be..."

-Lead the task.

-"..who is going to lead this task."

I'd like to. I would like to because, um,

-I know pretty much about ferrets.

-OK, so you can be the leader.

So that's settled. Chloe's the team leader.

Isn't she?

If you get them out, then I'll get...

I'll come in with the cleaning stuff, OK?

You've got to be really gentle with them.

Can we take these outside?

How about... take the litter trays outside

and do them outside? Here's the water and food,

we've got to change their bedding, here you go.

-Here.

-Huh, what?

-We've got to clean in here.

Basically, Chloe just wants to leave everything in there

and just try and clean it all out into the bin.

I suggested we take everything out, but she doesn't want to do that.

So while the ferrets team lead and follow -

or is that follow and lead? -

over in the furries room,

it's team leader election time.

I'd like to put myself forward, I don't know if anyone else wants to.

-Don't know if you want to...

-Um...

I'd probably say...Tommy,

because you've had experience with rats, so it's almost the same thing.

-Also, I've had experience with both hamsters.

-Exactly.

Oh, this is awkward!

Today, the team's tasks are to fully

clean both enclosures, and line

Patch's cage with cardboard,

and Ziggy's cage with paper.

You start with the main cage, I'll start disinfecting.

Where is the disinfectant?

I'll run to the store cupboards.

No, you stay here, I'll go.

So while Tommy pops out, over at the aviary, Ananya's illness means

the team is a member down, but they're not

going to fly into a panic.

Today, their tasks are to fully

clean the enclosure and forage for branches

in the school field.

"You have 40 minutes to do this task, and we're going to leave

"it to you guys to decide who's going to be the team leader.

-"Good luck."

-Who's going to be team leader?

-I don't mind.

-Well, that was easy!

Luckily, Sam isn't the sort to get into a flap over the birds.

-Hi, Faramaz and Sam.

-Oh, hi.

Hiya! How are we doing?

You going to miss the budgies or...?

You seem a little bit flinching,

-Sam.

-I'm not going to miss them.

Yeah, it's just...

they keep flying around,

-and all you can hear is just...

-Yeah, its cos they're birds.

-Yes.

-Fluttering.

-Um...that's cool!

Have we learnt some stuff, do you think, in these two weeks?

If you're going to get a pet, you have to clean its poo.

-Classic, that, isn't it? Sam's doing that, isn't he?

-Yeah.

Meanwhile, back in the furries room, the team are also busy cleaning poo.

Guys, I can't find any disinfectant, which makes it really hard

because they need disinfecting.

Um, I don't know now what to do.

I really don't know now. Um...

-Should we just put the bedding back in?

-Use them,

they clean, it's anti-bacterial.

-Right, if we fail, it will be your fault.

-OK.

If we fail, it's his fault.

It looks like the stress of decision day might be making

this lot a tiny bit prickly.

-There's no more cardboard shreddings left.

-What?!

-That's only enough for Patches.

-Oh, you've got to be joking!

-Calm down.

-Sorry that I don't want to fail!

I really want to pass.

We all do, but shouting isn't the way forward.

Keep calm and carry on.

Good advice, Courtney!

Meanwhile, over at the aviary,

Faramaz has gone foraging for branches.

And he's waltzing through this task.

A glide to the right...

..a pirouette...

..reach for the stars!

And a promenade back to the aviary.

-Found it.

-Hello!

Lovely.

And with only five minutes left of Pet Practice,

it looks like nothing is going to ruffle these boys' feathers.

I think we've done a full clean.

Which is more than can be said

for the ferret team.

THEY SCREAM

-Get it off, get it off!

-It's a bloomin' beetle!

It's over there!

You're such a wimp!

Beetlemania aside,

this team seem pretty confident that they've completed their tasks.

Room - definitely done, check.

-Check.

-Um, food and water - check.

-Check.

Uh, paper - check. Litter boxes - check.

I think it's clean enough for the ferrets.

You know, they obviously live in a bit of muck.

Are you sure about that, Chloe?

Ooh, we forget the fresh towel for them!

Quick, stick it in, then! You should have done that.

-Oh, don't...

-Put it in.

LAUGHTER

Close the door, Thomas.

-I think I forgot the blue toy.

-NO!

COCKEREL CROWS

That is time on our final Pet Practice.

Our Pet Heads can do no more.

And will they be impressing their parents,

finishing on a perfect result?

Or will they be putting their chances of getting a pet

into jeopardy at the last minute?

So let's find out how they did.

Thanks to William's quick thinking,

he, Tommy, and Courtney managed

to fully clean both cages, and line

each one with paper or cardboard.

Nice work!

Sam and Faramaz successfully

cleaned the aviary

and foraged for branches, so they've also passed.

But the news from the ferrets isn't quite as good.

Thomas, Lauren, and Chloe did not clean out the ferret enclosure

properly, so they are staying behind to make sure the job is done.

And with decision time just around the corner, I wonder how it's going

to affect their parents' choice on getting them a pet of their own.

-Do you think that that's a well-cleaned ferret aviary?

-No.

We did clean the little trays.

Ferrets aren't always going to go in the litter tray, OK?

If you're not cleaning up all the poo regularly, they're really prone

to really bad stomach upsets and really bad bacterial infections

that can actually kill them really quickly.

So let's crack on and get this sorted, OK?

We need to be picking up the poo that's over on the back wall.

Take that blanket out of the hammock that's got poo on it.

We need to get this newspaper that's wet and mouldy on the floor.

There's also a cardboard box that's really damp and mucky,

so can we can that out? Let's just get it nice and dry for them.

If that was my house they were leaving like that,

I really would not be pleased, and I can't see that their parents

will be happy that they're leaving poo in litter trays, it's disgusting.

Right, guys, you know, this really is minimum standard,

but at least they're dry, clean, and we've done the litter trays.

So let's get going.

That was my last Pet Practice,

and I failed it miserably.

This can affect our parents' decision about getting us a pet.

They're going to see this and...

and might say no.

Coming up on Pet School - Pet Heads and parents

sit down for the big decision.

I'll be really happy if they say yes.

If they say no, I just don't even want to think about it.

-Pet Heads! Come and say hello.

-ALL: Hi.

-So, decision time is just a few hours away.

-No!

First, inside each of the nine pigeon holes,

you will find a letter which has got your end-of-school report.

We gave it to your parents yesterday,

it might give you some idea of what they're thinking.

Go and have a look.

I'm kind of nervous.

Three, two, one...

-I'm happy.

-I'm not.

-I'm happy with some of it.

I'm unhappy with that bit.

I'm pleased, I think the whole thing is good, so...

I think my chances are later.

I think they're still 50/50.

It says, "Lauren's confidence with the animals varied day to day."

"William did sometimes get distracted."

Just having a stressful day.

OK, I'm going to go and meet your parents,

we will find out the decisions a little bit later on.

In the meantime, because it is the last day,

you can go and spend a bit of time with the animal

-that you want as a pet.

-ALL: Yeah! Woo!

I'll see you for your big decision later. Off you go.

With the moment of truth approaching,

our Pet Heads are off to spend some time with

the pet of their dreams, while their families arrive at Pet School.

If I don't get a pet, I think I'll be quite devastated,

because I've done the best of my abilities.

This morning's Pet Practice with the ferrets didn't go so well,

so I'm a bit scared they'll see that, then they'll think,

"Well, he didn't try there, so he won't try with a rabbit."

I've picked up dog poo.

I just hope it's good enough to persuade my mum and dad,

because I don't think I can do any more than what I've done.

First to find out about their parents' decisions will be

Lauren, Courtney, and Thomas.

HEARTBEATS

Welcome to Pet School. The final day.

Thomas' mum, you got to come yesterday,

anything you noticed that you think he could have improved on?

Not squeezing the gerbils, and turning them upside down.

Lauren didn't have a great time with the chickens in the first week.

Oh, gosh, no, not at all.

-We knew she'd struggle there, but she done well.

-She got stuck in.

And last night, just the end of the day,

we gave you her school report as well. Any surprises?

How tidy she was, actually, it says she's actually been cleaning.

-Over the moon with that, brilliant.

-We've got some clips of how

she's been doing in the last couple of weeks. Let's have a watch.

Oh, he's so cute!

Oh! Agh!

Oh, dear.

SHE CRIES

Smells disgusting.

Let's have a look.

Oh, no!

Not the tidiest moment there.

Oh, Thomas!

GUINEA PIG SQUEAKS

That's better.

-Just put a tiny bit in.

-That's far too much.

It said a pinch, and he poured it in.

So now it's time to bring them in.

I feel like there's a space empty in me that needs filling.

If they say no, I just don't even want to think about it.

I'm nervous about the big decision my mum and dad will have to make.

Hi, Courtney!

Hi, Thomas!

-Hello, Lauren!

-Hiya!

-Hiya!

How are you feeling?

Er...

-Scared stiff.

-I think I've done everything

and I've learnt everything I need to know.

All right, well, family,

has Courtney proved to you she can be a responsible pet owner?

Is she getting a hamster?

Is Lauren getting a dog today?

I think...yes, we will definitely consider getting you a dog.

-Yes! Yes!

-Well done, Lauren!

She is.

-Yes!

-Yeah!

Everything you've learnt comes down to this moment, right?

Decision time. Is Thomas getting a rabbit today?

Not right at this moment.

Thomas, not the answer you were hoping for.

How are you feeling?

Uh...not too bad.

-OK.

-OK.

I just think he needs a lot more time,

a lot more patience, to grow up a bit more.

A bit upsetting, you know, but...life has to go on.

I think you could definitely get there.

But I'd definitely encourage you

to try and spend as much time as you can

with people you know that have got rabbits.

Everyone's always said I'd never be able to look after one,

but I've proved them wrong.

In your face!

Choose your hamster wisely, go to your local rescue centre,

take your time, don't rush into it.

Are you happy with a hamster as well?

Yeah!

Take it slow, meet lots and lots of dogs until you find THE dog

that you just get that real bond with

and, as a family, that suits you really well.

Thank you so much, Mum and Dad, thank you!

Next to hear their parents' decision

is Faramaz and William.

I've done a lot of work, and I've tried really hard

to prove to them, so I think I've proved enough.

It's because of Clark that I want a dog.

If I could change anything,

that would be...to not be scared of the poo.

I don't even know how a pile of poo could beat me.

-Yesterday, you came to Pet School.

-That's right.

Got an insight into what Faramaz has been doing - what did you think?

He loves dogs, but loving dogs,

cats, or whatever and looking after it

is a bit different.

How did you get on with William?

I think he's done amazingly well. He's really surprised me.

We've got some clips from the last two weeks, so let's have a watch.

Maybe take the lid out of the bag.

That means I have to open the bag!

Thomas, it's fresh!

LAUGHTER

OK - William, team leader,

is picking up your bits, Faramaz.

'Today's big decision is really nerve-racking.'

'I'll be really happy if they say yes,

'but we'll just have to see, won't we?'

-Hi, William!

-Hi, mate.

-Hello.

-Come and have a seat.

How are we feeling?

-Yeah? Little bit nervous?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-How do you think you've got on?

-I think I've done as well as I can.

Do you feel ready for a pet?

After this experience, I feel really, really ready.

What pet do you want?

Um, a dog.

My dream pet would be a bearded dragon,

but I understand that not all of the family would like that.

-So...

-Yeah.

-Big decision time.

Is he getting a dog?

Is William getting a bearded dragon today?

He has proven himself,

but the answer to the bearded dragon is no, sadly.

But we will think about another pet. Absolutely.

In my opinion...yes.

Faramaz, yes! You will be getting a dog.

-How are you feeling?

-I'm excited.

They said yes, they said yes!

Put it there, yes!

It wasn't really because I didn't do well,

it's just because they don't really want a bearded dragon, to be honest.

William has done so well, so he should be proud.

A bearded dragon is a big commitment for the whole family, right?

It really is. I mean, bearded dragons could be anything

between 15 and 25 years.

So it's definitely worth considering it.

I think you'll get there in the end.

'Don't look so sad, William.

'Dad did say he might consider another sort of pet.

'So, five Pet Heads down, four to go.

'And it seems like a good time

'to find out Ananya's parents' decision.

'Ananya came to Pet School afraid of animals,

'and sadly, had to leave after falling ill.

'But did the progress she made during her time here

'convince her parents that she's ready for a pet of her own?'

So good to see you all well again. We missed you at Pet School.

Uh, everyone at Pet School, we showed the families,

their parents, some clips of them in action.

So we've got some of you, Ananya, here.

Oh, Ananya, that's amazing, well done. Yes!

-Well done.

-Ananya, you are holding a boa constrictor!

I couldn't do that, actually!

It is time to find out, Ananya -

Mum and Dad...today, is Ananya getting a pet of her own?

She definitely can have a pet.

-Happy with that?

-Yeah. I'm really happy.

Awesome!

'So it's a happy ending for Ananya.'

-Great!

-Yes! Yes!

And the last three to hear their results

are Sam, Tommy, and Chloe.

If I don't get a pet and my mum says no today,

I'll be really disheartened

because I did work really hard.

One particular highlight might be working with the leopard gecko.

If I don't get a pet, I would...

I don't know how I would feel.

This is the final day of Pet School, which means it's decision day.

Chloe's mum, you came yesterday. How did you think she got on?

I was quite impressed yesterday.

She did more than what I expected.

Is there anything you saw from Sam

that you thought he could work a bit harder on?

He's very keen. Sometimes, he could be a little more controlled.

Be careful where you scoop, don't go too deep.

We gave you his school report at the end of yesterday.

-What did you think about it?

-Yeah, quite impressive.

It's basically willow sticks, hay, and then all things like roses.

Sometimes, it goes in one ear,

out the other with Tommy, but...

We've got some clips from the last two weeks, so let's have a watch.

A lot of poo covering over just then.

Hey, stop!

That's what I did yesterday.

Let's have a watch.

Come on. Come on.

-I don't care, actually.

-We do.

-But we do.

It's not all about you, Tommy.

-Shall we take a look?

-Lovely.

And you just gently pull it up

and you should be able to see the teeth.

-There she is, you got her?

-Yeah.

Hold her wings nice and close in,

bring this hand up a little bit.

'At the minute, I'm feeling a little bit anxious.'

'The possibility of me maybe having a pet forever

'is actually really exciting.'

'I'm getting a bit worried -

'it is the bit where I find out if I get a pet or not.'

-Hello.

-Hi, Chloe.

-Hiya, Tommy.

-Hey, Tommy.

Hi, mate. How are we feeling?

Good.

Definitely nervous.

A bit worried.

It is decision time -

have you got anything you want to say to your mum

-before she makes up her mind?

-Um...

I've tried my hardest, so take that into consideration.

Parents, today, on the final day of Pet School,

is Tommy getting the pet that he wanted? Is he getting a rat?

Do you think Chloe has shown you how to be a responsible pet owner?

Do you think she's getting a pet today?

Is Sam getting a leopard gecko today?

Yeah, we're going to have to say no today, Chloe.

-I am sorry, darling.

-No, yeah, it's fine.

But, um, we don't think...

You've just not got to that stage just yet

where you're ready for an animal, and when you're ready,

-we'll commit to it then.

-OK.

-That's not a no forever!

-It's not a no forever, no.

Just not at this time. But it's not a no forever.

'Chin up, Chloe, you'll get there!

'Now, what about Sam?'

Yeah, I think Sam would be a great pet owner for a gecko.

-Yes, Sam!

-Woo!

-Result! Good job.

-Yes! Well done.

Cool.

Yes!

-Yes.

-Yes.

-YES!

-YES!

Tommy, come on!

-MARIE:

-Oh, my goodness!

-Well done! How do you feel?

-Excellent!

Good job!

HE SPLUTTERS

Words don't... Words don't...

Make sure you get a nice big vivarium for them.

Remember, Sam, they are going to be around with you

for at least 10 to 20 years.

I'm hoping, in the future,

I might be able to have a pet of my own,

but I'll have to keep my fingers crossed

and hope for the best.

Getting more handling experience, visiting rescue centres,

going to friends and family who have animals

and getting more involved will definitely help as well.

-You're going to need two rats.

-Yeah!

-What are you going to call them?

-I don't know yet, um...

There's some good names here.

-Yeah, Luke and Marie.

-Correct decision, that's right, yeah.

WOO-HOO!

So that's it - decisions made,

and all that's left is the goodbyes.

Pet Heads - time at Pet School has come to an end.

It's been brilliant having you all. I am proud of you.

Congratulations to those of you who have got your pets.

If you didn't get a pet, don't give up, keep working,

you might be able to change your parents' minds. That's it, though -

our animals are going to miss you.

So for one final time, Pet Heads, off you go!

-ALL: Yeah!

-See you later, bye!

Pet School has meant quite a lot,

because it's given me all sorts of opportunities and I've done

so many things I never thought I'd do.

You know, walking a goat wasn't on my list.

It's gone too fast. It's gone too fast for me.

I'm looking forward to meeting my new animal,

but I'm also sad to leave Meadow as well,

because she's like my best friend.

I'm going to miss the people here.

I'm going to miss the animals, and I'm going to miss my friends.

I feel sad that we have to leave so soon,

and that time's up with Pet School,

but I'm also really happy now I get to get a pet of my own.

Fun working with all the different people and animals,

and...amazing.

Yeah, it's a school where you, like, learn about stuff,

but it's not your normal school,

where you're sitting in a classroom, bored to death,

doing English and Maths.

It's been a great experience,

and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

See ya, Patch.

Bye, Leonard.

Pet School's been the best experience of my life.

And when I get older and all that...

No, I don't think I'm going to forget it.

That's it - school's out,

and the gates have closed for the last time this term.

Did our Pet Heads get their dream animals?

Well, Lauren, Faramaz,

Ananya and Sam took Marie's advice

and are taking their time

to find the perfect pet for them.

William and his family are still thinking about

what could be the right pet for the whole family.

Thomas is working hard to try and show his parents

that he would be responsible enough to have a rabbit.

Tommy adopted three rats and is taking great care of them.

Inspired by Pet School, Chloe's parents decided that having pets

for the whole family to look after

would be a good thing, and adopted two dogs.

This is Daisy and this is Lulu.

Courtney was really sad

to say goodbye to her buddy Patch,

but it turned out to be just a brief farewell.

This is the same hamster

that was on Pet School,

and I'm really happy because

he was up for adoption.

Is there any tissue, or something?

This diary room is awesome.

And these are like my two best pals.

Bye! Oh...

That's a wrap!