WILMINGTON, Delaware: Want a dog but don't have the space? Keen for a canine but can't find the time? Want to test drive a breed before you buy? Well now you can.
A company in Delaware has introduced a new service allowing you to 'rent' a dog for an hour, an afternoon, or as long as you want - and there is no obligation to buy.
Flexpetz describes itself as "a unique concept for dog lovers who are unable to own a full-time doggy pal and miss spending time with a canine friend".
The company offers dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds, from Labrador Retrievers to Boston Terriers and even Afghans. Flexpetz says it makes every effort to recruit their canines from "accredited rescue organisations.
The company also says all of its dogs complete obedience training, while some are also certified as therapy dogs.
Members can pick and choose from any available pooch for as long as they want for that day - and return their new furry friend to Flexpetz at the end of their booking. The company charges a monthly membership fee of $39.95 plus an an annual fee and an additional daily fee (starting from $19.95) if you choose to hire a hound.
“Our members realize that their busy work, family or travel schedules make full-time ownership unfair to a dog,” Flexpetz president Marlena Cervantes told The Kansas City Star.
“A Flexpetz membership enables them to become part of each Flexpetz dog’s extended family by providing a level of dog ownership on an occasional basis, while imparting each dog with the love of multiple human friends.”
The service offers an online reservation system , allowing you to choose the location where you can view the dogs available on your chosen date. Members can choose to pick up their dog - or use a dedicated shuttle service to deliver and collect your rental doggy to or from your home or office.
The company currently operates from Los Angeles, San Diego and New York.
Well, of course I'd rather that you actually OWN a dog, versus hiring one for the afternoon. But given that so many pets out there are mistreated and neglected by irresponsible owners- this could actually be a good idea.
This would be interesting for dog-owners! I remember once having to get a dog for my mom, but she couldn't make up her mind about what kind of dog to get. We got her an afghan which didn't quite sit well with her, so we ended up taking the dog in (he's our toxie now). This would be good because people like my fickle mom (love ya mom!) would be able to try out a certain breed of dog before, say, committing to get one for themselves.
yes, it could be a good idea... but what about the poor dogs? might it be that just as they'd be forming bonds with their human "clients", they get chucked to another human, so they don't really get to form -well- meaningful relationships?
dogs form mighty strong bonds with their humans- which is why we love them so much. im not sure this is an idea i would go for, but at least the dogs are with people who love em, not people who just take them for granted like many negligent dog owners out there.
Dogs are animals who belong to a pack. Since they are separated from their original pack, they see humans as members of their pack. (i love the idea that dogs see us as members of their pack. so cute!) If dogs just get transferred from one person to another, then they would never find their own pack. (thats bad)
But on the other hand, pets help relieve stress. It can be good for people. Can be good for dogs, too. Rather than just staying in an animal house, hoping to be adopted, at least these dogs are given a chance to interact with humans and go around town.
Poor dogs. Rented out to people as if they were books or lifeless things. And its a waste of money too. All that fee for a few hours with the dog? What a waste.
What will they think of next? Everything now is instant. I never imagined that now you can actually rent dogs for a day. It's quite sad because I tend to get attached to dogs and if I start renting them, I might just end up buying them. And God knows, I have too many already.
I think this is a great idea. My kids keep bugging me to get a dog but they don't allow pets in our building. This will be a good oppurtunity for them to get a dog even if it's only for a couple of hours a day. They'd probably want to hire a dozen dogs at a time but I don't mind.
I think this is a nice idea. I would rather see dogs rented by the hour than be put to sleep. It would be good also for people who want to "test drive" having pets at home. A couple of weeks ago I saw something similar on the TOday Show. They featured dogs visiting sick children in hospitals. It made the children happy and the dogs didn't seem to mind the attention they were getting.
this is a great idea! i have a friend who really loves dogs but is not allowed to have one in his apartment. at least now, he can start renting one and have a good time walking the dog and caring for it.
FLEXPETZ (flexible dog ownership program) is a service that claims to offer a "unique" option for individuals and families who love spending time with dogs but can't "manage" full-time ownership. These individuals and families are paired with the pooch of their dreams, "for a few hours or a few days."
I hope you share your concern about this "service." The ASPCA believes this goes against the very concept of developing the human-animal bond, which people in the animal welfare world work so hard to promote. Dogs and other pets deserve a family and home that they can depend on. They are not commodities to be availed of when the whim strikes, and to be put away when not.
John Snyder of the Humane Society said: "Pets are not like bicycles you rent them for two hours. We just don't think that's in the best interest of the animal." "We're concerned about different owners, different training, different handling."
The humane officials say it's hard for animals to adjust to constant changes. Click on the link to read the article http://www.gimundo.com/Articles/Daily/531/9/21/2007/Too_Busy_To_Own_A_Pe...
i feel that randall has a very valid point in saying that dogs should not be availed of like commodities. at first after reading the article, i thought it was a good idea but after reading the comment posted by randall, i would have to change my initial reaction and agree with randall. it would be too unfair if dogs will just be rented out to different people.
WELL, I see sides of both--good and bad. Someone mentioned "they don't hire people by the hour", this isn't true. THINK ABOUT IT, when you get your hair done, your literally hiring that person for an alotted time for their services FOR YOU. As well paying for a massage, pedicure, whatever. And it's a lot better than putting the animal to sleep!! Most will have ended up being adopted. It's great advertisement, plus soon someone will have gotten attached enough, and have a home to provide the lil' critter for keeps and for love :o) SO WAKE UP!! Smell the roses, or the doggie fur!