"A LOT of people say 'I don't know how you can work here, it's so sad'," said Tracy Green, an animal care assistant at the Scottish SPCA centre in Milton.

"But a lot of people don't realise when an animal comes here it's already been taken away from something bad so we see it as a positive."

With more than 10 years' experience between them Tracy and co-worker Lisa Porter-Smith understand why people would expect their job to be upsetting, but it couldn't be further from the truth – especially over the festive period.

The Dumbarton Road based centre cares for 80 creatures – from snakes to dogs and everything in between - 24/7 365 days a year.

It's a tough physical job and, the workers say, not for those with a weak stomach.

But like many of us who see the Christmas and New Year break as a chance to spend some quality time with family and friends, so do the staff at the centre.

Lisa said: "I'm wasn't working this year but I only live down the road so I brought down a roast chicken for the dogs.

"We're a bit quieter and closed Christmas and Boxing Day so we have more quality time with the animals and get the chance to do some nice things with the animals, like take them for longer walks or let them play a bit more."