A Dog for a Day?

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  • Posted By: keithj @ 07/30/2008 1:42:30 PM

    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.

  • Posted By: Kidsandpets4me @ 07/30/2008 12:51:53 PM

    I'm a dog person. I fully admit it. I have dogs, cats too and I love my pets. I am also professional in the animal welfare field. I will never forget a sunday morning I spent touring a very progressive shelter with terrific volunteer and community programs. As I toured the free roaming cat rooms I saw a young woman sitting on the floor reading the Sunday paper with a cat napping in her lap and another enjoying a head scratch. The person leading my peresonal tour had to leave the leave the room for a short time to take a phone call. I took the opportunity to chat with the woman sitting on the floor. I asked if she was a volunteer with the organization. "I suppose of sorts" she remarked". Then she explained that she lived in the area, in an apartment building that did not allow pets. She also explained that because she worked in sales and often travelled through the week., she really was not in a position to have a pet, but that she enjoyed coming in and sharing the Sunday paper with the cats in this room. It gave her a feline fix and no one at the shelter seemed to mind. She was not an official volunteer, she came in and enjoyed the furry company when she could. Over the years I haveoften told this story to shelter directors as an example of what this shelter did right by being so welcoming to the public that people wanted to spend time there. This is one of the more rare instances when I have told it as an example of what pet loving individuals who are unable to have pets themselves can do. Everyone one wins in case like this. So save the money, donate it to an animal wlefare agency that so deseerately needs it and get your fix at the shelter. Many are now progressive and offer welcoming environments and even programs to take animals out.

  • Posted By: klmcgugin @ 07/30/2008 1:21:38 PM

    these pets probably get more love than your children do at the day care center or with the teen aged babysitter you leave them with everyday. what is the difference. I can not have pets in my building and would love to have to oppurtunity to share my love for dogs in this way. Alo t of people pay others to walk their dogs or sit with them while they are away. Are we going to outlaw this too.I think our polliticians have alot better things they should be doing.

    • Posted By: animelover @ 07/30/2008 1:39:41 PM

      Klmcgugin maybe in your world this happens but I can say in my world my child and pets are equal in the time and love I give. The difference between leaving my child in day care and leasing a pet is this???the child speaks and tells what is wrong with their day, the pet cant and wont let you know if it is unhappy! Even babies cry when they are upset and humans jump to their cries but a pet cries and some like you just leave them without a thought in the world as to why they are crying.
      I am not a fan of paying someone to take over a duty I agreed to when I decided to get a pet but that dog walking issue falls on its face man when you think about it. If the dog hates the walker for what ever reason it will let you know and if you???re smart you will listen and get a new walker. This passing the pet for money is totally different. Get your head out of your pocketbook and into the pet???s world and see how you like being whored out for money!

    • Posted By: animelover @ 07/30/2008 1:37:07 PM

      Klmcgugin maybe in your world this happens but I can say in my world my child and pets are equal in the time and love I give. The difference between leaving my child in day care and leasing a pet is this???the child speaks and tells what is wrong with their day, the pet cant and wont let you know if it is unhappy! Even babies cry when they are upset and humans jump to their cries but a pet cries and some like you just leave them without a thought in the world as to why they are crying.
      I am not a fan of paying someone to take over a duty I agreed to when I decided to get a pet but that dog walking issue falls on its face man when you think about it. If the dog hates the walker for what ever reason it will let you know and if you???re smart you will listen and get a new walker. This passing the pet for money is totally different. Get your head out of your pocketbook and into the pet???s world and see how you like being whored out for money!

  • Posted By: isnilk @ 07/30/2008 1:38:07 PM

    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.

  • Posted By: isnilk @ 07/30/2008 1:36:04 PM

    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.



  • Posted By: AprEC8life @ 07/30/2008 1:35:37 PM

    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.

  • Posted By: pandayasha5500 @ 07/30/2008 1:33:23 PM

    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?

  • Posted By: pandayasha5500 @ 07/30/2008 1:32:26 PM

    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?

  • Posted By: krys1216 @ 07/30/2008 1:27:05 PM

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

  • Posted By: krisa_dreammaker @ 07/30/2008 1:26:18 PM

    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.

  • Posted By: Bernhard Meck @ 07/30/2008 1:25:41 PM

    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!

  • Posted By: rbmoore @ 07/30/2008 1:25:41 PM

    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.

  • Posted By: Felda @ 07/30/2008 1:22:57 PM

    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!!

  • Posted By: kfosmoen @ 07/30/2008 1:19:34 PM

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

  • Posted By: 20faces @ 07/30/2008 1:17:18 PM

    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.

  • Posted By: toolkien @ 07/30/2008 8:43:32 AM

    Thank goodness! With wars, children being killled, a $54 Trillion accrual debt, civil society eroding, housing issues, on the brink of economic collapse it is good know that we have so many layers of government that we have enough people with power to ban fast food restaraunts and rent a pet outfits.

    Can we get some perspective please?

    • Posted By: sees it real @ 07/30/2008 1:16:57 PM

      OH SO ANIMALS ARE NOT WORTH BEING PRTECTED TOO ....IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.? GET REAL.... ABUSE IS A PROBLEM TOO AND IGNORING IT BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY HUMAN PROBLEMS DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT.. ANIMALS NEED TO BOND, JUST LIKE HUMANS DO, AND IT HAS BEEM PROVEN THAT CHILDREN PASSED AROUND FROM HOME TO HOME IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM LOOSE THEIR ABILITY TO ATTACH. IF YOU CAN;T OWN A DOG VISIT THE POUND AS A VOLUNTEER. RENTING A DOG IS JUST WRONG!!

  • Posted By: gshiggs @ 07/30/2008 1:15:56 PM

    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.

  • Posted By: klmcgugin @ 07/30/2008 1:15:36 PM

    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?

  • Posted By: JSSFRK @ 07/30/2008 12:52:06 PM

    I am a dog lover and this seems alright to me. I am currently raising a dog for "special needs" or a blind person, whatever the dog ultimately chooses. He may choose to come back to me but I cannot afford him. I need a pet and I saw this volunteer opportunity to have a puppy for the first year and a half of it's life for about half the cost of actually owning the dog. Sure my heart will be broken but the joy I get to have now is worth it and if he chooses to be someones independence then I did a good thing. I will probably raise another after he goes in for professional training. In a way, I am renting a dog only I have to spend tons of time training him and taking him on exposures and to classes. I still get to enjoy the company of a dog.

    My point is, God gave us animals to do with as we choose. They are not people, although, they do become part of the family. Now, do you see every member of your family everyday? You still love them but you give them the time that you can. I do not see this as any kind of abuse.

    • Posted By: animelover @ 07/30/2008 1:12:01 PM

      JSSFRK your wrong here. First off God didn???t give us another life to do as we please so get off your soap box. That kink of mental defect is what makes s me glad I don???t believe in a God. Did he give us children to sell out for labor?
      The issue here is people can speak and say I want to stay with you or not. Animals can not so who is able to listen to their thoughts and feelings. No one so why torment them and pass them on. Why not pass yourselves on for the money, whore yourself out not a defenseless animal that can???t speak.
      Raising a dog for others to help them is totally different from this lend out for money. Are you being paid to help others? Are the ones your helping rich and normal in their everyday needs? I think not. What you are doing is helping those that can???t help themselves not for profit.

  • Posted By: wking @ 07/30/2008 1:11:42 PM

    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.

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