Over in the UK, pets are increasingly being treated as a priority within the family. More people are choosing not to have children, instead deciding to adopt or buy pets as companions.

For many couples, getting a pet has even become a way of testing their relationship before committing to parenthood. Some embraced the challenge and went on to have children of their own, while others discovered that their pets provided all the family they needed.

So are pets becoming the new children?

Joining Andrea was Freelance Journalist, Andrea Smith. Jen Hogan, Irish Times Journalist and Vet Pete Wedderburn  And Owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woof Laoise Downes