Renting a Dog: Barking Up the Wrong Tree?
Harry Truman said, “If you want a friend, get a dog.”
But if you only want a temporary friend, should you rent a dog?
Jackpot, Pirate, and Tango are among the pooches available to lease by the hour or the day from Flexpetz, a dog rental company with offices in Los Angeles, New York and London.
While some upscale hotels have lent dogs to guests over the years, Flexpetz is making a business out of it. For a $99 administration charge, a $99 monthly membership fee, and a $150 mandatory training and orientation session, a customer can rent as many dog day afternoons as desired, for an additional $45 each.
Who rents a dog? People who travel a lot, people who live in places that don’t allow pets, and people like 26 year-old Sarah Stevenson, who moved to New York from Scotland. “It’s been difficult for me to meet people because everyone in New York just kind of goes about their business,” Stevenson lamented. But when she’s out walking a rented cockapoo named Oliver, “It becomes a nice way to meet people.”
Flexpetz says all of their dogs—some of which were rescued from animal shelters—wear GPS tracking collars and are fed “holistic dog food.” But that’s not enough to stop some critics from howling fowl over what they say is the unacceptable promotion of dogs as accessories.
The company was banned in Boston after the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance making dog letting illegal. “To rent a dog just seems wrong,” said one legislator. “I’m not for legislating morality, but it just seems like cruel and unusual treatment of a poor, defenseless animal.” A Boston newspaper editorial took issue with what it saw as people who “want the comfort of a pet, but not the full-time responsibility.”
“Pets are not like cars or furniture,” the Humane Society says. “Moving them from person to person, home to home, can induce problems such as anxiety and depression.”
But a psychologist counters that people who want to borrow a dog usually just want some companionship. “It may be a short bond,” he said, “but it’s a real bond.”
Tell us what you think: Is it irresponsible to rent a dog?
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Big Deal!?
This is the first article I have read on this site. Although strange and weird, I feel sorry for the people that feel the need to rent a dog more than the dogs themselves. What I read makes me feel that the companies are going about it responsibly, and I’m sure these pooches are happier than the dogs I see chained up day and night in their owners yards. If I could rent my sweet Heidi out to responsible people, while I am at work all day, she would be the happiest hot dog on the planet. New and different people are her candy. Nothing she loves more. Especially when they are wanting her attentions. I do not think we need to spend much time on this issue.
Brandylynn | 1 year, 3 months ago
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sometimes dog, sometimes not dog
I agree with BRANDYLYNN. This is a “non-issue”.
I have cats, but (for age among other reasons) no longer have dogs. When my neighbor travels she leaves her dog over here.
(No I don’t strictly “rent” him.) The dog enjoys it and I enjoy it. So?
Cecily | 1 year, 3 months ago
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I get paid to spend the day...
Renting pets is not all that new (heard of it 15 years ago). Some hotels (and not just high end ones) can provide you with a cat for the evening. Dogs have been rentable in New York for some time.
My dog (golden retriever) would be thrilled to have new people from whom to sponge up affection, scratching, snacks, etc.
Besides, when I work temporary, they send me out for the day and I am not treated as well as these rent-dogs are.
Michael Jefferis | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Recent passing
I have a friend in school that just lost her dog prior to her enrollment. She also has a full time job and is responsible enough to know that owning a dog right now would be neglectful. She simply doesn’t have the time but I believe that she would benefit from renting a dog. The companionship would still be there. It would be a temporary fix until she graduates and gets another pup.
jadeiris | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Not so irresponsible
As per the FAQ in the website, the dogs have a single owner, live in a home environment, and are NEVER kept in kennels. The dogs appear to all be rescues, and many of the dogs that they rent find permanent homes with the renters once they are in a position to own a dog full time. I don’t think that’s irresponsible at all. In fact, I think it’s a lot more responsible for the dog AND a potential owner. For Jadeiris’ friend, this would be an ideal situation. It gives her the chance to have the companionship she may crave, without committing to full time ownership of another dog until she has time to heal the wounds. Also, many people get dogs without being aware of their temperament. FlexPetz allows for a bond to grow between the right dog and the right owner. This makes more sense than the Disney “101 Dalmatians” scenario, when shelters were overrun with Dalmatians whose owners purchased the dogs then abandoned them because they weren’t familiar with the fact that they are extremely high energy pets who need a lot of time and care. They saw the movie, thought the dogs were cute, bought one, and threw it away because they didn’t do the research on the dog’s temperament and breed. Those are the people who think that pets are disposable.
FlexPetz does not appear to me to be just a “rent a dog and then throw it away” type company. I say do the research before condemning the process; I am always happy to keep an open mind, and will listen to any argument, as I am very sensitive about animal rights.
h_squared | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Terrible Idea
Dogs are known to have feelings of attachment to their owners as well as to other animals. They thrive on consistency. It has to be very confusing to them to be constantly passed from one person to another. They are not commodities and should not be treated as such. If one would like to have an animal but not totally commit, it would be a blessing to help out one of the animal rescue groups to foster a dog until they find permanent homes for them. Sometimes two people can share the foster dog if they can’t do it full time. Many times foster care is needed to save an animal from a kill shelter. That would be the more responsible thing to do.
Suzanne G. | 1 year, 1 month ago
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Renting a dog: barking up the wrong tree?
Is it really wrong to rent a pet? I have a young child at home that wants a pet dog. I would love to have a dog at home for one week just to see how she would react to the animal (we don’t know many people that have dogs and/or cats). I want to see before getting a pet from the pound and then have to commit to it, when it may not be wanted at home. I don’t see anything wrong with it. In this world we have so much, just to allow a child and family to see, I don’t see what’s wrong with that.
Happynewyorker | 1 year, 1 month ago
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Selfish
Well, I have a dog of my own and I love him to death. He’s my best friend and I adopted him at an animal shelter. Just think how he felt as all those people looked at him and then just walked away while he was locked up just wondering why they won’t take him home. Just think how that dog feels being taken to all these homes being loved by all those people and wondering why they left. All I have left to say is if you’re looking for a dog – don’t go and rent one and put it through all that pain. If you want one that bad just go save one from an animal shelter near you. It will be a lot cheaper and this dog you’ll get to keep. Plus, I bet you’ll find a good friend like I did.
christopher allen corbit | 1 year ago
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Shelter dogs need walks too
Some animal shelters allow people to take dogs for walks or even take dogs home for the weekend. This gives the animals some exercise and socialization, which keeps them healthy and makes them more likely to be adopted. Check your local animal shelter before renting a pooch.
Dave P. | 1 year ago
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Rent a pet?
Great idea!!! I think legislators (like in Boston) need to pass laws like being a stupid legislator is illegal (have them look into mirror). My dogs love the attention of everyone and I see no ill effects on the days following another person giving them attention and then going on their way. Dogs would love being taken out for the day and spoiled. With different people renting them, they will be taken more places than any other pet owned by only one person! Maybe I’ll try renting myself out to be taken places…any women need to rent (borrow) a guy for the day? I’m cheaper than the dog renters too; no admin fees, no training course and no monthly fees either! Just feed me. ::: laughs:::
Anonymous | 1 year ago
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