Rent-a-Dog
You can rent just about anything these days. I constantly am bombarded with emails extolling the virtues of renting pricey handbags designed to impress friends and neighbors, but when I heard about a service which is becoming quite popular with animal lovers, I about fell off my chair, laughing. Maybe I should not poke fun about it, but the concept of renting a dog for a weekend just had me in stitches.
This being said, as I read more about Flezpetz, a dog renting agency's ultimate goal of finding forever loving adoptive homes for the dogs they rescue from animal shelters, I stopped laughing. Operating from the Wet Nose Doggy Gym at 34 East 13th St, in New York City, they also provide doggie day care and boarding for canines. The company started in San Diego and opened in Los Angeles. Flexpetz plans to expand its operations to Boston, Washington, San Francisco and London.
Folks looking for canine companionship but not wanting to make a permanent commitment to owning a dog may find this service to be just the ticket. It does give people the opportunity to both enjoy a temporary "relationship" with a dog and to ascertain if it is realistic for them to form a permanent one. Renting a dog however does not come cheap. A monthly membership includes for one-day rentals and costs about $279.95. For $45.00 a day or part of a day, one can extend the rental time.
Prospective members are interviewed in depth, in order to find out if the service is appropriate for the applicant. After approval from the main office in San Diego, members are given a mandatory one-hour training session covering handling and dog training. Members then are free to choose a dog that sparks their interest from photos of dogs for rent featured on their web site.
Some folks who rent for a day live in apartments, which do not permit dogs. Others have relocated to a new area and miss family and friends, so a canine companion helps to alleviate homesickness. Some people who have recently lost a beloved dog, and still grieving, not ready to make a permanent commitment to a new pet, and can find solace through the service. For every dog that is rented, there is a different reason.
After giving this considerable thought, I find myself thinking that this is not a bad thing. It certainly has its place in the world of the pet connection, and has many positive aspects. I can't help but having a little sparkle of laughter remaining as I wonder if upon return of the dog, will my deposit be returned?
For more on renting pets, check out petside's article here.
Would you consider using a dog rental service? What are your feelings about it? Leave a comment and share with us.
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Comments (6)
Sandy August 7, 2008 8:31 AM
Actually, it might be a great idea. Maybe rent a dog you are thinking of adopting and you'd know if he was the right one, rather than having to make a mistake and take the poor shuffled around dog back to the shelter.
Vicki August 7, 2008 9:26 AM
My Goodness, what next? It is hard to imagine renting a dog when I have seven myself, all free and clear I might add. It amazes me the things people will do for a buck.
Linda August 7, 2008 9:08 PM
Our animal hospital sees and takes in many throw aways because people do not research or take the time to learn what is involved in owning a pet, be it dog, cat, bird, or anything else. We are an instant gratification society and a throw away society as well. The rental program is not a bad idea. I don't see it as a profit center but as a way to make possible lasting bonds for animals that might otherwise be euthanized.
fran August 7, 2008 10:06 PM
Sorry to say, I have a different reaction to this. I had heard about it a couple of months ago and I thought, while it might be nice or useful to some people, it could very well expose the rent-a-dogs in the program to abuse. At the very least, it seems like it would be very stressful to the animals. I was very distressed when I first learned of it and sent off an email to the Humane Society asking if they were aware of it. The reply I got said they were aware and concerned, but unfortunately it was too low on their priority list to warrant action from them at this time. I'm glad Flexpetz has some sort of screening and training process, but the whole thing leaves me a little uncomfortable and with many questions, like how many times a day/week/month does each dog get rented out, or what kind of lives do these pups have when business is slow?
annie August 7, 2008 10:35 PM
although i pet sat many dogs when i lived in ca, i am actually a cat person. now, if there was a rent a cat, i might consider it. but then again, we currently have 9 cats, so i don't think my hubby would appreciated one or two more, even if they were just temporary!!!
Amy August 8, 2008 8:54 AM
I believe the idea is a good one. As long as the people are screened very carefully before "renting" a dog, cat, or whatever the critter might be. It might help people decide whether they are ready to give a forever home to a pet.
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