This was in the LA Times today - www.flexpetz.com. They let you "rent" a pet. I didn't go through the entire website, but I think if people want to spend time with dogs but can't have one full time, can't they volunteer at a shelter or something? I just think how sad for a dog to be "rented" out to different people all the time! Who knows how they're being treated? And for what purposes they're being used? And it's expensive - not that it shouldn't be, but... OK, I really don't know what to think about this...I'm kind of at a loss for words.

While I dont feel this is for most of us, I can see one upside to it. This might be an viable option vs a shelter option where many are destroyed.

Personally, I get attached too fast. I can't even consider Zippy with someone else.

I don't know that this program will work esp. because it is a little off the wall, but if it does, it just might help with all these poor defenseless, homeless dogs who are being put to sleep. I can see where they might do a sideline that might be useful such as take the calmer, friendlier dogs to nursing homes for visitation, or to schools for educating children on care and responsibility.

Who knows...might end up with some sort of value..just don't feel it is for me.

We were at a Halloween party and the hostess had rented a snake as part of her costume. The snake was visibly upset/uncomfortable with all the noise and people around. It kind of ruined the party for me. I think this is an irresponsible business and treats helpless animals like material objects.

I am kinda on the fence with this. I would never personally do this or ever recommend it but- on the flip side they use all rescues and people have the chance to adopt them. This has given many of them forever homes and they screen the customers before they are allowed to take any dog. Also, it helps people realize how much responsibility dogs are. This way, people don't go out on a whim and get a dog that they can't care for that ultimately ends up in a shelter.

WOW how completely irresponsible - can they guarantee the behavior of the pet , or the person who rents it ? Sarah

I'm with you...


I'm all for captialism... (I'm not sure there is any left now though) but using animals and ESPECIALLY DOGs as props is just too much.

We saw this story on the news last week I think. I don't remember where the business was but I didn't understand that shelter dogs were used. They didn't say where the dogs came from. They said a lot of people used it to take a dog for an afternoon to find out if they wanted one for keeps. It would be good to show people, children especially, that pets are a responsibility and not all just fun they said. Hubby & I were horrified. We thought it was awful to put a dog with different people all the time like that. Plus how does one afternoon show someone enough about caring for a dog. I think it's making money at the expense of the dogs. It shouldn't be allowed imo.

I read their site and the FAQ answers some of these questions http://www.flexpetz.com/faq.html
They also say
All FLEXPETZ dogs are fitted with a GPS tracking collar that allows for immediate location detection in the event that a FLEXPETZ dog and a member become separated. The device also incorporates an environmental temperature sensor that alerts FLEXPETZ instantly if the dog's surroundings fall outside of a predetermined safety range
it is not cheap either - I guess this helps weed out people!
for NYC
A monthly Membership Fee of $99.95 which contributes towards providing full care for all the dogs at each FLEXPETZ location.
Daily Doggy Time charge (Daily Doggy Time is equal to a day, or part of day, you spend with a FLEXPETZ dog) at a rate of $45.00 per day.


Still not sure how I feel about this though

This is SAD! Poor pets never have one loving forever home! They are bouncing these pets around like toys!

This is very sad.....if I ever did it I would keep it cause is easy to fall in love with them and hard to give them back.

I don't agree with it, it's very sad