The Shelter: Animal SOS starts tonight

A six-part series examining life at Dublin's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hit our screens this evening. The Shelter: Animal SOS takes us behind the scenes at the busy DSPCA, Ireland's oldest and largest welfare charity. Each episode will give viewers a unique insight into life at the shelter, as the dedicated staff care for both domestic and wild animals. Throughout the series, we can expect to see an array of furry friends, including dogs, cats, ponies, pigs and more. In tonight's episode, the shelter will rise to the challenge of providing care for a pair of terriers dropped off at the centre. Additionally, veterinary surgeon Elise O'Byrne White will perform life-altering surgery on Banshee, an abandoned kitten. The former Ireland rugby player will also care for a very poorly abandoned pony. Ahead of the show's premiere, O'Byrne White spoke about how she used to volunteer at the DSPCA. She is now delighted to join the team in a full-time position. "It's a great place to work in terms of the team," she said. "We've a great veterinary team, and then when you look beyond that, we have a cattery, treatment facility and all of these places filled with caring, kind and fun people who are all trying to do the same thing as you. "It’s such a great pleasure to be able to come into work every day and work with that team." Last year, the DSPCA celebrated it's 180th anniversary. The organisation, which is a registered charity, rehabilitates sick, abused and neglected animals seven days a week. Additionally, the team rescues and rehomes over 2,500 animals. For more information on the DSPCA, check out their website. Episode one of The Shelter: Animal SOS airs at 8:30 pm on RTÉ One.