Rent-A-Dog?
Animal lovers are concerned about a new rent a dog company. Flexpetz is an American concept that allows busy dog enthusiasts to have a dog “partime.” Flexpetz now has an operating service in Britain where one can borrow a pet at a cost of £279 for once a week for a month.
Dog welfare agencies such as the RSPCA protest that dogs need a secure routine to feel safe and happy. Flexpetz assures concerned parties that dogs are only rented to responsible and capable patrons.
Personally, I think that the entire operation must put a certain amount of stress on the dogs, but I also know that dogs are incredibly adaptable. We’ll try to follow this story, see if anything comes of it.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
£279 a month! Thats $550 AMERICAN BUCKEROONIES! I think if these people want to have a dog so badly, they should volunteer at a shelter or rescue organization to get their fix. Every dog DESERVES to have someone they call their own and being passed around is horrible. I can’t even imagine the behavior problems these dogs will crop up with not having any security or consistency.
I think it is disgusting!
May 13th, 2008 at 4:34 am
WOW!!!! At £279 they can certainly afford a dog.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I’ve heard of places that offer “rent a dogs” in the US as well. I would defintely be concerned about the welfare of the dogs involved. How do they know that the dog’s are being well treated and getting the care that they need from the renters?
May 19th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Two of my dogs would be ideal for this sort of program. They love people and are always ready for an adventure. The other two would be very upset not to have me around them all the time. I do hope the personalities of the dogs are considered for the program.
May 28th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Hello,
In my city of Chicago this concept would take off like a rocket especially with the young, single adults in their twenties and thirties who work eighty hours a week. The concept of renting a dog for a short period is the perfect remedy for young, dog-loving professionals who have a hectic big city life.
I think that the UK program and it’s USA counterparts are fantastic. I think that this company is clearly on to something great. I believe that there are many responsible people who love dogs but don’t have the time to commit to a pet full-time but may have the time for a pet once a week ever month or so. I applaud these gentle, kind people who are HONEST abot their limitations of time, space and even money. I am glad that these urban dog lovers are comfortable enough with themselves and their values to not be bullied into adopting or buying a dog that whose needs they can’t meet on a day-to-day basis.
If Flexpet chooses dogs that have the gentle, easy going temperament for this kind of work such as Labs, Goldens, Beagles, English Spaniels and Poodles, then the dogs will not become distressed when they go on visits. Dogs are the most adaptable mammal on Earth, they are on every continent and in every climate. Dogs are genetically programmed to “go with the flow”.
In closing I would recommend that anyone who has concerns about the program to call your local Flexpet and talk to an operator. I am sure that they will put your concerns to rest.
Wags and Wiggles,
Ami Moore, The Chicago Dog Behavior Expert
http://www.dogdoright.com
May 30th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Hmm, I think if you are not committed 100 percent, then why have a dog at all? Then again, some of these dogs might be shelter dogs or formal shelter dogs and they don’t have anywhere else to go anyway. I guess it depends on the dog’s personality.