Local SPCAs are encouraging pet owners to think of their animals this silly season.
With many people leaving town, shelters receive numerous calls about cats and dogs being left alone with insufficient food, water, shelter or shade.
"They may ask a neighbour to come in, but fail to follow it up," Hastings and Districts SPCA fundraising manager Faye Johnson says. "People can be fairly lackadaisical about it so if you are leaving them behind make sure you find someone reliable, or preferably book them into a kennel or cattery."
At this time of year water should be replaced twice a day and food at least once - it was also important to make sure dogs were not tied up where they could tip over a bowl or get their lead tangled.
While cats were fairly independent the SPCA recommends attaching a contact phone number to their collar.