apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Massachusetts passed legislation prohibiting this practice just last week.

I'm making a bowl of popcorn and just sitting back and enjoying this one....

A friend recently joked about wanting to rent a cute pup to strick up conversations with hotties walking their dogs.

I don't think dogs should be rented out (I'm horrified actually).

On the one hand, day trips for dogs in shelters which might lead to adoption is a good idea (and I assume the shelter conducts proper screening before allowing the animals out).

On the other - hotel overnights? dogs rented out to couples on dates? (And I can think of other, more horrible reasons someone might want to rent a dog...) Who is making sure these dogs are well cared for? What about stability and routine (things dogs need to feel happy and secure)? If people want the companionship of a dog but can't (travel too much, living space too small, etc.) why not volunteer with a shelter or pet site for a friend?

I totally agree with arza. In addition, people who don't own dogs don't usually know about all the little things that can be dangerous for them. Even if given the generous benefit of the doubt that the people renting a dog have common sense, there are still things that seem like they'd be safe, like raisins, onions, grapes, certain plants etc. that can put a dog into renal failure. The idea just gives me the willies.

Rent a room....yes
Rent a pet.......no way!

Wrong on so many levels...Pets are a full time commitment.

Get a pet rock instead.

Hahaha! Quiltmaster - too funny.

I mean, does anyone actually think this is a *good* idea?

This is unconsciousnable - dogs are spiritual beings, offering unconditional love and need love as do human beings.

quiltmaster: shall we settle down for a quiet evening of watching the fur fly?

We could always discuss evolution or vaccinations.

That's horrible! Dogs need stability, routine and people who love them. They're a full time commitment, not something you do on a whim.

wrong wrong wrong. pets need a full-time commitment from loving, devoted owners. being "passed around" from person to person? totally not healthy. boo to whomever thought of this.

Maybe it's better than being euthanized right away or never going outside until they are....idk...maybe it could work if regulated enough.

Just another way people have come up with forming relationships without accountability, responsibility, or commitment.

Horrid.

A friend of mine was hospitalized for three months awaiting the healthy birth of her twins. While she was bedridden, she expressed the wish that she could rent a cat, because she missed having hers curling in bed with her during the long hours.

That, of course, could be handled in a similar manner to the dogs that visit hospitals. I also like the idea of dogs from shelters having day trips to possible adoptees. But renting a dog while on vacation? Wrong.

Is this a get-the-page-hit-numbers-up controversy post? C'mon.

Pimpin' out the dogs...not a fan.

That said, I would love to be able to have a dog right now but my current living situation and lifestyle don't allow it. However, instead of paying to spend time with a dog, this weekend people are paying me to spend time with a dog. Yay for dogsitting!

I think the shelter idea is fantastic - the story of the people who ended up adopting is exactly the goal and in the interim the dogs are well socialized.

Dog rental seems like a fine idea in theory, although I can see that there might be some wrinkles to iron out in practice, such as the number and nature of renters per dog or liability issues.

The Ritz-Carlton model seems pretty good - the dog has An Owner/pack leader, but gets to spend its days out and about when the owner is at work. For all the pratting about Commitment and Responsibility, darling fluffies all over the US spend most of their day waiting around for Dear Leader to come home and many (not all - breeding and socialization are an issue) would welcome new friends.

I decline to speculate on the spiritual life of dogs and if this might lead them to shift from a monotheistic to a polytheistic cosmology.

But more importantly: how many grapes must a dog eat (per pound of body weight) to go into renal failure? Enquiring minds want to know!

I have the feeling most folks who would rent a dog while away from home are crazy animal lovers who just want someone to snuggle.

I can't have a dog or cat simply due to my apartment living situation. After growing up on a very busy farm, living without pets seems a little empty. I guess I empathize a little with people who want a little animal companionship, even if it's just short term.

In a perfect world, this would be a great "job" for friendly dogs who love meeting new people and seeing new places. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world, and it would be difficult to make sure no crazy perverts saw this as rent-a-date. Even if the possibility is a tiny, tiny chance... it's still there.

pet rental? that's disgusting.

It only takes about 10 grapes to cause renal failure in dogs.

Renting or sharing a dog is problematic. But other versions of this can be very good. Most shelters have dog-walking programs: the dogs get a fun outing, people interaction and socialization (with other dogs and humans) and people who can't keep dogs for whatever reason get to spend some time making a pooch's life much better.

Fostering is another option: you're caring for an animal that badly needs care, but for a short, specified period of time.

I think both of these are wonderful 'short-term' pet care alternatives that beat all hell out of the alternative.

In Japan there are places where you can go and pay to play with kittens. This is partly because many apartments there are too small to have a pet (it would be far too cruel). And in Luxembourg you can rent dogs to go for a walk in the park.

Having said that, I agree that a pet is a full time responsibility and if you want to spend time with animals then volunteer at a pet shelter.

What NellC said....

I think it's a great idea. I have no idea if I would even like owning a cat, but a rental would let me experience that and decide. And further, do I want a kitten or a grown cat? As for dogs, my god the breeds out there. Renting would allow you to narrow down; each dog has a different personality, but if you find you just can't live with the shedding or the tone of their bark, you've saved time and expense and heartbreak.

And no, going to dog shows, talking with breeders (who just want to sell sell sell) and even finding people who own the same breed are NOT the same as experiencing it yourself! Whoever thinks petsitting is the same as renting (or better?) is a fool.

Plus I think the dogs would love it... All the new people they'd get to meet, all the repeat customers, all the fun places they'd go.

It's far worse to leave a pet at home alone all day, in my opinion. With pet rentals, YOU are expressly making time FOR the pet, not having a pet wait around in case you deign to pet it that evening after work, and a date, and surfing the net.

As for people renting to get dates? I don't buy it - what happens when Sue realizes you don't own that dog, you just rented it to attract women? Who would date someone like that? Plus if you impose the proper fees you'll eliminate those that have nefarious plans.

I'm totally for this.

I'm torn.

I agree with it if it's goal is to raise adoptions from shelters or get the dogs out to get some exercise. However, people just picking up a dog for a few hours when it's convenient... notsomuch. Dogs need bonding, and they're pack animals; so forcing them to readjust their social hierarchy constantly? Not cool.

Ugh! My dog is very shy and takes ages to warm up to a new person. I'm sure there are other dogs who love EVERYBODY, but how can they ensure that the people 'renting' the dog are good people and will take proper care of it? The chances of the dog being subjected to mistreatment increase every time the dog is 'rented'. What a horrible, hair-brained idea.

Get your own dog or get thee to a dog shelter!!!

the thing that makes pets special are the bonds you form with them. . .renting a pet is like a cheap one night stand. . .

No no no no no no no no.
The NYTimes had an article a few months back over a company doing this in the city! While its great that they are rescuing pups from city shelters being pimped out on a daily basis is NO WAY for an animal to live. Its horrible and should be illegal.

I also leave my three cats at home all day (and my parents leave their two labradors at home) while I'm at work and they are fine. After spending a sick day or two with them I realize that they sleep the entire time.

I saw a documentary a while ago about pet rental in Japan. Seems like it's a common thing there. This young couple rented the same dog on a regular basis...when they actually had some free time to take care of him and play with him. (So the pet don't stay home alone all week). If I remember properly the clients are screened and educated on how to take care of the pet.

Isn't it better for dogs to socialize and meet various people that will give them attention as opposed to staying in a cage all day, especially if eventually the regulars get attached and adopt them when the time is right?

WWCMD? (what would cesar millan do?)

If said lonely people crave some animal companionship, then they can go to their nearest neighborhood shelter and donate some free time by taking the dogs there out for walks, or bathing them, or helping the shelter clean the crates.

There are shelters all over the city and they all like volunteers. This way, the person involved doesn't even need to shell out cash, and the shelter gets a much needed volunteer. Win-win situation if you ask me.

I'm leery of renting out a dog to a person for the weekend. Even if the person had nothing but good intentions, the fact that the dog goes into the home and starts feeling like that's home, and then having to go back to the shelter again is tough on the poor pup. I know when I go on vacation and have to leave my dog with a dogsitter, she isn't happy and takes a while to adjust. Imagine having to do this every weekend with a new person.

This would be about as easy on the pets themselves as "be a parent for a day without a long term commitment! Rent an orphan!" would be for kids. Just sayin'.

I think this is so immoral. Dogs aren't to be treated like property that you can rent whenever you feel like it. For starters, just as many people here have been saying, dogs need stability and routine. Having a dog go from home to home to home to home is not good for they psych. I understand how some people may think that's it's better than a dog being killed or a dog sitting in a shelter all day but a dog being handed over to several different people, sleeping in different homes and environments is not healthy. Dogs also need to build complete trust with one person and that can sometimes take up to 6 months.

If people love animals but they can't care for them then they should volunteer at a shelter as a dog walker but the dog should have a stable home where they know where they will be sleeping every night.

For everyone saying it's horrible / awful / disgusting / etc....

What about the dogs (and shetland ponies and other animals) that visit nursing homes? Childrens hospitals?

These animals provide love and companionship and everything people above said to the elderly and sick children for a brief period of time, but they don't have to take responsibility for the animal.

I realize the situation is different, but as long as the animal is being loved and does have one main caretaker (as I'm sure these animals at resorts or whatnot do), what is the problem? Better than it being euthanized, no?

I think it could be a good idea but, it would have to be regulated. It might work at a shelter in a membership situation where people are screened then have to go through training before they can spend time with the pooches. I can't have a dog in my apartment building and volunteering is a great idea which I will look into after I write this comment. But sometimes, I just want to go to the beach or park and lounge. Also, I think a membership situation at a shelter could help pay for the cost of caring for the animals.

Lindsayb, don't even bother answering anyone that's ignorant enough to even ask that. Totally out of line. Dogs are definetely part of the family and they should nopt be passed around like purses. It's really sad.

BTW, those of you who think this is a good idea obviously aren't animal lovers or have a pet because you would know each dog or cat has a different personality and sometimes a certain breed takes to one owner. Think about it this way, why is it that foster children that are passed on in the system tend to be generally unstable. Not all but most. they tend to be more leeryof others. I think those who think this is a good idea do not care.

Non-pet owners have no idea how sensitive animals' stomachs can be. They are not people, and they are not garbage disposals. They tend to get into bags of food, and are at greater risk from these insensitive tourists who want a Paris-Hiltonesque pet accessory.

Children often can't be trusted (yes, that means YOUR little angel) to listen to rules about what to feed a dog. Before you konw it, the dog will have eaten half an ice cream cone, ho-ho's, cheesburgers, McDonald's fries, and whatever else people gorge on.

Sure, a few might get adopted. But after a disturbing, weird, insettling procedure. Shelters offer pets for a 1- or 2-week fostering. You can spend quality time, before deciding to adopt. But renting a pet for fun is just gross.

I love the idea, I wish you could also rent a baby. I wouldn't want either for more than a weekend, but they sure are cute.

Ah! But witness this: The Anderson House, a hotel in Wabasha, MN, "rents" happy (I can attest to this) cats to their guests. My understanding is that the tradition started when a patron (staying in the area to be near a family member being treated long-term at the Mayo Clinic) wished aloud that he might have a little companion ...

We've stayed several times, always reserving a cat -- they have nine or so, all of whom bunk in a big, sunny room until their one-night stands arrive. This last stay, our rented pal had such a good time my husband declared that were it up to the cat, we wouldn't have had to pay.

As I type, I realize my username combines with this comment to paint a picture rife with cat-freak-ness: possibly I should have thought of that before, but it was bound to happen someday. My whole life, building up to this one post. Such sadness.

@any such name -- you said "What about the dogs (and shetland ponies and other animals) that visit nursing homes? Childrens hospitals?"

That's different in that the animals in question HAVE a home and a family, but get to go around with their people to visit OTHER people. A very differnt thing from being put in a new "home" with a new "family" every so often.

@mycatisfattest-- same applies to you. Their home is the hotel, their family are the other cats and the people who work at the hotel, and they enjoy getting lots of visitors. The hotel is their territory, and they enjoy playing/cuddling with guests to their house. Whether money does or does not change hands is irrelevant to the cat.

nuts, wrong, immoral, should be illegal, works great for greed and ego of humans only, creates an unwanted ethos of "animals are so disposable and only serve my ego," does not serve the needs of the animals...not enough room here for the list.

I think it's a good idea and yes, I am a pet owner.

I've read up on Flexpets and they are very selective about the dogs (all from shelters btw) they use. People are screened and educated and overnight stays are limited. The dogs have a regular pack life with a Flexpets employee other dogs and just go on outings with a few regular repeat clients.

A great way for people who rent apartments with no pet policies to spend time with a dog. A good program for the city dweller who only gets away to the beach or to go hiking one or two days a month and would like to share the fun with a dog.

Some of the very social/active dogs I've known would be perfect for a lifestyle like this.

Why would someone wanting to hurt a dog go through all the trouble of applying, paying, attending obedience classes, etc with a rental company when they can get a dog for free any day through the classifieds?

I think that, if it's a rescue situation, "borrowing" a dog for a few days and taking him/her on a day trip and getting to know one another to see if the two of you are a match is probably a wise idea. After all, a dog is a life-long commitment and you wouldn't want to marry someone without going on a few dates, now would you?

As far as "renting out" a "professional" dog that you have no intention of keeping, especially ON A VACATION, no less??? That's absurd and I cannot IMAGINE why anyone would want to do that. I would not give up my two miniature dachshunds for anything in the world but, when I go on vacation, they stay with my mother. Unless you are staying with a dog-loving friend, why spend your whole vacation worrying about finding a restaurant that allows dogs?

Also, I don't think that being a "rental dog" would be mentally healthy for the dogs involved. I mean, it's better than sleeping at the foot of Michael Vick's bed, but I still don't think it's ideal. A dog needs stability, routine, and to be able to establish strong bonds with a loving family that he/she can count on to be there for him and give a sense of permanence..."belonging" to a different family every week will not provide that situation and I think that's really sad for the dog.