Spare a thought for those who have to keep on working while you're putting your feet up.
Name: Lisa Gerard.
Job title: SPCA Otago dog manager.
Q How long have you been in the job?
A Nine years.
Q What are the high points of the job?
A Finding really good homes for dogs, especially the dogs who arrive in a horrible state, who we've worked with and trained and got them up to good health.
Q What are the low points?
A Having to euthanise an animal because of an illness and the abused animals that come in.
Q Describe a normal day of work?
A Coming to the shelter and organising the volunteers and feeding, exercising and training the dogs.
Making sure dogs are vaccinated and desexed and assessments are up to date, so if they get adopted we know they are good with people and trying to fix up the punters with the correct dog.
Q Do you normally work through the summer holidays - and if so, why?
A Yes, someone needs to be here to feed the animals.
Q Do you get paid more?
A We get a day in lieu and time and a-half.
Q If you were on holiday where would you be and what would you be doing?
A I'd be on a working holiday in Rarotonga and I would be helping with the dogs at the Esther Honey Foundation.
Q Does it annoy you that you're at work while everyone else is on holiday?
A No, I quite like the peace and quiet.
Q Are you able to bunk off more easily during the holiday period?
A You can't bunk off in this job. You need empathy and to be responsible.
