A Dog for a Day?

It's amazing that it is acceptable to do this to our most precious asset, the children of our society, but not animals. The agencies in this nation shuttle kids through multiple foster homes and no one raises a voice.

kj76 is an animal hater

Shelter animals don't smell as nice. That's a JOKE, for all you sensitive animal-rights folks. On a serious note though, these animals are likely well-groomed and well-trained. Who is going to take a shelter dog with unpredictable public behaviors to the dog park, or jogging or to a friend's home? I'm not saying shelter dogs don't need love and shelters don't need volunteers (I have fostered, volunteered and eventually adopted two shelter animals), but the type of people who are able to afford to rent dogs at that rate more likely than not want the "best in show" type animals.

Additionally, horses are leased for months and even hour-long trail rides, but there is no legislation in place to protect them. Why not? Becase every society values different animals in different ways. Here, cows are fodder for our McDonald's-greedy tummies - in India they are sacred. In certain Asian provinces, our furry "man's best friends" are a delicacy.

Why not regulatory legislation - setting up some guidelines these sort of businesses have to follow - rather than legislation banning them? No one is saying animal abuse is not a problem, but its quite amazing how quickly this legislation has gone into effect when you look at it versus all of the other things that need to be addressed - child abuse, education, veterans' issues, the economy.

I think that this issue is being looked at with a bias natural to anyone who loves or hates something - in this case animals.

Buzzardtaco, that's more harmful than anything. U go pet and visit with the dog and then it sits in a cage waiting to be adopted and never is a likely 9 times out of 10 it gets put down. Yea, sounds lovely. Theres also a big difference between going to a shelter and petting an animla and getting to take it to the park and play frisbee or home to watch a movie and hangout and go for walks. It's your dog while u have it but u don't have to worry about neglecting it do to time constraints.

All of you naysayers are way off base. Let's say you are a dog, (and some of you probably are). Would you rather live in a depressing, concrete-slabbed shelter situation awaiting the inevitable doom, or would you rather spend time with successful, friendly, and lonely people who can fully appreciate your time and presence? Some of you shortsighted types are right, the dogs cannot speak for themselves. If they could, however, I am sure the vast majority of them would tell you to mind your own business, they've got a pretty sweet deal going. Plus look at the joy these dogs bring people. Why couldn't I rent out a pup for an hour or two if it will help me while I'm out macking the babes? It makes me look like a good guy (I am).

And you mention the economically useful lifespan. Seven years. What is the big deal? Think about it. Most of these dogs have to be around 2 years old, so they aren't all spazzy when out with strangers. Add on another seven years, and that makes them nine years old. In dog years, that 63!! Face it folks, that's old. You can't be putting out an old, musty product to your clientele. Most humans retire in that timeframe. Addtionally, when is the last time you thought to yourself, "Wow, I would really love to hang out with some OLD people this weekend." Put you hand down, Felda. Things that are old are also unnerving. Its science. And you can't argue with science. If you still aren't convinced, then step up. Stop raving like lunatics and go out and adopt all the dogs that would otherwise be euthanized, or sent off to these rentals companies. No? Can't do it? Then here is an even better idea, stop yapping about things just so you can be seen or heard. Either step up, or shut up. I'm not adopting these dogs. However, if someone finds a way to prevent a crummy, short life for them, and in the process puts some coin in their pocket, then God bless 'em. You may not like their method, but at least they did something, which NONE of you can say.

Pet renting? Now I've heard everything. This is horrific! Money is the motive here and nothing else. What's next? Rent -A-Kid? Rent-A-Spouse? Totally gross. Thank God for PETA.

Are you kidding me? People have something against saving animals from the pound who were going to be put down? You give them at least a few more good years before, at worst, they end up right back where they started. And how is this promoting the idea of "disposable pets." Does dating promote the idea of "disposable girl/boyfriends"? Crusaders need something to do I guess.

Renting a dog for a day and having someone come in to take care of your dog are far from the same. The poor dog that gets rented out goes somewhere different everyday and knows nothing of a a normal life. If someone comes to take care of your dog, it's the same person every day and they have a full time home and full time family. I'm sure the rented dogs are loved and well cared for, but it's wrong. They deserve a normal life just like my dog and all of the others out there as well.

Any means to rescue and rehome animals should be encouraged. These animals are still adoptable, and in the meantime are well-cared for and taken for walks by customers who care enough to pay for the privilege. In NYC this is an especially needed resource, much like other shelters that rely on volunteers to walk the dogs, show them a fun time, before being returned to the kennel.