A Dog for a Day?

If these people are so desperate to spend time with an animal they should volunteer at a local Humane society & donate their rental fees to the shelters. The act of prostituting animals for financial gain in this manner is ludicrous to say the least.

Also, have no time for a commitment to taking care of a pet so we should just rent a pet? What are we teaching our children? No wonder the marriage statistics in this country are going to hell. We're all too busy to have commitment and relationship with a pet, much less a human.

As a pet owner I am offended by this pet renting business. I shouldn't be surprised though, after all we already "rent" prostitutes for meaningless sex, "rent" call girls and escorts for companionship...so what's next, "renting" children??? It's always all about what makes US happy...we don't care the consequences on anything else. Sometimes human selfishness astounds me.

Sorry, Sonshine1975. This is NOT the dog's life. Animals get attached to people and most attach themselves primarily to ONE person as their best friend. I agree with the below poster - if they would like to spend some time with animals on a temporary basis and time permits, there are plenty enough shelters and SPCAs in this country that would LOVE to have the assistance in the shelter, not to mention the cash they apparantly have the time to shovel out. Like it or not, animals DO have feelings. I don't see how anyone can be comfortable with renting one of God's creatures. Or condoning it.

It really does depend on the dogs here - Yes, they might have been destroyed on the street or euthanized in the shelters - But who's to say they wouldn't have found an owner there, either?

I do think the rental is a bad idea - maybe keep them in the building and have the "renters" go THERE to play with them, it might not harm the dog so much emotionally. Instead, it would see the employees as its owners and the "renters" as playmates that come every once in a while - It would be happier to get a surprise playdate than to be shifted around every day. Its like a small child, even - Would you think a little 4-year-old would like having to call a new person "mommy" every day? What do you think that would do to them later on?

It really does depend on the dogs here - Yes, they might have been destroyed on the street or euthanized in the shelters - But who's to say they wouldn't have found an owner there, either?

I do think the rental is a bad idea - maybe keep them in the building and have the "renters" go THERE to play with them, it might not harm the dog so much emotionally. Instead, it would see the employees as its owners and the "renters" as playmates that come every once in a while - It would be happier to get a surprise playdate than to be shifted around every day. Its like a small child, even - Would you think a little 4-year-old would like having to call a new person "mommy" every day? What do you think that would do to them later on?

If you want to spend time with animals but you can't have one.... VOLUNTEER... It is selfish to rent a pet.

This could be an alternative for shelter dogs who's time ran out at a kill shelter however its apparent once their 'shelf live' is over, that???s where their going to a shelter. Pets, especially dogs need training, a set schedule with consistent potty breaks & regular feedings with the same food so their stomachs don???t get upset. I also agree with 'animalover' in that dogs have a pack mentality & it???s essential for them to have AN owner, not 5 - how knows how many people.

These question come to mind: What happens to the creatures AFTER their 'economically useful' life-span? Do they go back to the pound? Do they get 'humanely put down'? Do they get sold at a discount like rental cars? 90% off specials?
The mind boggles about the possibilities. And when you sign them out, do they have optional coverage for 'loss, demise or foul-play'? What if a brat smacks the critter and gets bit in the face? What if you run it over backing out? Do you dismiss the thing with: 'oh, that! It was just a rental' ? Do you have to bring them back with a full tummy? Do customers have recourse if the creature farts and spoils dinner? I mean, when you pay good money you demand perfection!?
Free enterprise comes up with many creative ideas pushing the envelope! For better or for worse! I wonder if anybody rents well-behaved children yet. They would be GREAT with a garden party! Or maybe I'll just RENT a clown with pointed teeth!

If people want to spend time with a dog but don't have time for having one in their lives full time they should simply go volunteer their time socializing pets at any number of shelters that would be happy for the extra volunteers.

Pet "renting" is a TERRIBLE idea. Animals have feelings, too, and I'm sure - - if asked - - they would NOT like to be bounced around from one person to another like a rubber ball. I'm surprised there aren't more problems with the dogs being seriously aggressive, considering how many different surroundings, and types of people, they have to endure. And what about people with SMALL CHILDREN? The whole idea is ABOMINABLE!!

If you care about DOGS then put an END to DOG-RACING and PUPPY MILLS!

How is this new? They've been doing this in Japan for years, but instead of taking the animal home, you "play" and "care" for the animal at the "rental establishment". This way, the animals DO have a sense of continuity, with the primary day-to-day caregivers being the employees.

Domesticated animals are essentially wild animals that are kept away (by humans) from all of the learning experiences that would allow them to fully develop the instincts that would make them mature animals. Dogs are therefore kept in a perpetual state of puppyhood throughout their entire life span. One of the most important things that dogs must have to be psychologically secure and stable is a predictable home routine. Just as human children derive a major part of their feeling of personal security through predictable daily routines, dogs are the same way. This rental practice is cruel, and should be banned.

I bet these dogs are getting more love than your children are in the day care centers or with the teenaged babysitters you leave them with everyday! I think this is a good idea. Also, there are more than just big unadoptable dogs in shelters, there are all kinds of them wishing people would spend time with them.Don't our politicians have more important things to do?

The rental pets live in one building, where they are cared for, fed, walked, and have a more permanent and loving shelter than when they lived in animal shelters or rescue organizations. Those who are members of FlexPetz gladly pay a monthly fee, plus an extra "doggy time" fee, to play with, walk, and enjoy these animals. Dr. Foo admitted that he couldn't take care of a pet, and those who belong to FlexPetz seem to recognize that they are in the same position: they're not ready or able to be responsible for a pet, but enjoy the companionship a dog brings. Besides FlexPetz, people can volunteer (as others have noted) at animal shelters. Other ways to get quality time with animals include volunteering your services (or charging a small fee for) as a pet-sitter for friends or relatives going out of town on business or vacation, volunteering at a petting zoo, or, if your time and circumstances allow it, being a "foster parent" with an animal shelter. As a "foster parent", you temporarily care for a dog or cat, until it's old enough to be returned to the shelter for adoption. Younger animals are fostered until they're old enough to be spayed or neutered, and, in some cases, have finished any medical treatments for diseases or ailments that may keep them from being adopted.