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It's bad enough that people will buy and sell dogs as if they were inanimate objects. But now, along comes FLEXPETZ to debase animals even further. I guess some people will do anything for money. And likewise, there will always be people willing to shell out big bucks to buy into the latest trend, no matter how bad it is for animals.
FLEXPETZ offers rental dogs. Yes, dogs you can rent by the day, just like a rental car. The company can even deliver the dog right to your door―just like a pizza. Its Web site describes all the wonderful perks enjoyed by these "lucky" dogs, such as holistic dog food and vet checkups every three months, but it neglects to say whether they also enjoy the services of a doggie psychotherapist, because I'm pretty sure they're going to need one after being shuttled around from client to client.
Dogs thrive on stability and routine. Sure, they like to meet new people and have fun adventures―but in reasonable doses and in the context of also having solid permanent family ties. The FLEXPETZ Web site explains that the dogs each live with a primary caregiver when not being rented, but what kind of caregivers would be willing to let their dogs go off with different strangers each day? Oh, they gather lots of personal information on their clients, sure, but we've all experienced what it's like to discover someone's "darker side" after knowing the person for years. People are good actors―there's no way to know how they are going to treat a dog once they are out of your sight. And what about the close associates of the clients? Suppose a woman rents out a dog and her boyfriend hates dogs. It's a complete leap of faith. And considering all the horrible psycho things I've read that have happened to dogs, I shudder at the thought.
But even if nothing really horrible happens and all of FLEXPETZ 's clients are completely reputable, kind people with no anger-management issues, you still have ignorance, incompetence, and human error to contend with. Anyone who has ever adopted a dog knows that there is a long learning curve of getting to know one another. And inexperienced people can make all kinds of mistakes that put a dog's well-being into jeopardy. FLEXPETZ fits each dog with a GPS tracking collar in case the dog "decides to go walkies on its [sic] own!" But what happens if the dog goes walkies right into the middle of the street and gets hit by a car? Of course, this can happen to anyone's dog, but it's much more likely when you have poorly acquainted people and dogs pairing up for jaunts around town on a daily basis.
But the worst part of all is the underlying concept that dogs can be viewed as pure commodities, available for a price to give pleasure to any human who can fill out a few forms and pony up the dough. The good thing about FLEXPETZ, though, is that it is really expensive. Right up front, you have to pay $150 for an in-home introduction session, an annual administration fee of $99.00, another $99.00 for the first month's membership fee, and a minimum of four monthly "Daily Doggy Time" charges of $45.00 per day. So that will screen out a lot of people, but there are still plenty of rich control freaks around who might want to rent a dog just to have someone to boss around and manipulate or show off like jewelry.
You can dress it up and call it what you like, but the bottom line is that these dogs are being used and exploited. At least prostitutes get to keep the money and choose their own johns.
But there is good news on the horizon. One of the cities in which FLEXPETZ was counting on opening up a franchise, Boston, has said "NO" to pet-rental companies. The City Council voted on the measure last week, and the mayor is set to sign it. FLEXPETZ entrepreneur Marlena Cervantes complained, "I'm concerned about the dogs [in Boston] we won’t be able to take in now. Now they’re going to be going into shelters."
But that's just it. The animal shelters will be there regardless, and they are already packed with needy, homeless, lonely dogs. Dogs who would do anything for a walk around the block or a trip to the park. All these FLEXPETZ clients can get all the doggie companionship they want―for free―at their local animal shelter. And instead of paying through the nose for it, they will be rewarded with a warm, satisfying feeling from having brightened the day of a sad dog who may never get to enjoy a real home.
Comments ( 16 )
I'll be brief. This is one of the craziest scams I've heard in a long time.
Posted by Rhonda | July 15, 2008 9:33 PM
Posted on July 15, 2008 21:33
Well, I can't agree with this either. Owning a dog is a lifetime committment. Someone who rents a dog is likely to be unsure about owning one and may not have the background to know how to handle and care for a dog. The only good thing I can think of from this is that it might be better for a homeless dog to go from home to home rather than sit in a cage at a shelter for months.
Posted by Lindsay | July 16, 2008 3:05 PM
Posted on July 16, 2008 15:05
I totally agree with everything. I'm a boston native who's been covering the flexpetz issue for my blog and I've been able to get some more info. While it looks like there ARE some people out there trying to stall the bill, seems like there are high hopes it will be passed by the end of the month
Posted by RTPBlogger | July 17, 2008 2:47 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 14:47
I would like to have a baby one day, but I have so many doubts (am I really ready for the responsibility?).
I think it would be a great idea to rent a baby for a day. Why not? Or maybe for two days. See how things go.
Can I do that? Can I rent a child? I'm sure the answer is NO! And if that is the case, why can you rent a dog? This is a ridiculus ideas.
You want to spend time with a dog? Go volunteer at a shelter.
Posted by Jaclyn | July 17, 2008 4:03 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 16:03
The fact that they say they have a "home" that they always go back to, and are only rotated around to as many people as they are comfortable with.. I don't know I think having people who would pay the money to look after a dog and have been screened before hand is actually a good idea. Much, much preferred to living in a kennel in a shelter in my opinion!
I know there is still room for liars, and such.. but then people could go to shelters and lie as well and pay to take a dog home.
I don't think it's a *good* idea, but I don't think it's truly awful either. I don't think it's harming the dogs.. they seem to be tempermant testing and not sending out skittish animals/abused etc. (or so they say anyway)
Posted by Chrissy | July 17, 2008 4:48 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 16:48
The human race disgusts me sometimes....actually most of the time.
Posted by Shawn | July 17, 2008 5:52 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 17:52
that is just sick!
i adopted a dog from an animal shelter and it took 3 weeks for the dog to let me scratch his tummy.
so if the dog is going from home to home then not only are the dogs getting the short end of the stick but so are the people. you can never expect a dog of that back ground to love you at first site.
so i am afraid that people will be mean to them just b/c of that reason.
Posted by Cheyanne | July 17, 2008 5:57 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 17:57
This is going to be similar to the adoption problems where the abusers are on the prowl.
There should be some laws prohibiting such a thing. I believe some people will do ANYTHING for money.
This is terrible, and if anyone knows any way to get to our legislators to stop this, or some way they are doing something illegal in this process, let me know.
I love to write letters.
Posted by Debbie | July 17, 2008 8:28 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 20:28
If people have such an urge to pay money for a temporary 'companion', why not go to the local animal shelter, make a donation and work as a volunteer on a regular basis.
Win/win all round!
Posted by Sharon Ridsdale | July 17, 2008 9:56 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 21:56
Rent a dog? *sighs*
I feel for these poor animals because people can do whatever they want and get away with it....I dont think renting out dogs is a good idea...Animals have feelings and imagine if you were adopted out,you already have enough issues...Then someone comes and picks you up and sends you somewhere else...That isnt a good life and the dogs wouldnt feel loved...I shiver at the thought...Im from australia and i dont know if they have anything like that here...But in my short 22yrs alive i have seen alot of animal cruelty and think that laws should be harsher.....Why not rent out kids in homes then? Instead of them taking up space there?
Poor animals.
Posted by Tam | July 18, 2008 9:14 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 21:14
Chrissy,
Are you really going to believe the claims of a company that exploits animals? Of course they're going to say that; it wouldn't be very good PR to tell the truth. Situations like this would be extremely stressful for ANY dog and that's just plain common sense, so please don't believe otherwise--especially when you're basing your opinion on the lies of those who are profiting from using the animals.
Posted by Amanda | July 19, 2008 4:37 AM
Posted on July 19, 2008 04:37
I wonder if this is not a scam by the puppy mill/breeder industry
Claim to be "renting" the dogs, but really SELLING THEM, and without having to maintain a store location
This has scam written all over it
and just think about disease transmission as these dogs get passed along from house to house,
Posted by kelly | July 21, 2008 3:01 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 15:01
FlexPetz Update:
Yesterday, the House of Representatives of Massachusetts unanimously passed a bill onto the Senate banning Pet Rental Companies from operating in the state. The Senate is expected to follow suit before the end of the month, but we still have a ton of work to do -- Residents of MA, PLEASE call your Senator during the next few days and get this passed at the Senate level so we can keep these companies from operating in our state!!
Posted by Jo | July 23, 2008 9:09 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 09:09
Are you kidding me??? How, no, why would anyone want to "rent" a dog? I can't believe what these rich, spoiled people with too much time on their hands have come up with now. What next?? Kid rental??
Posted by Jamie | July 23, 2008 1:53 PM
Posted on July 23, 2008 13:53
Hi Guys! I;m back bearing gifts! Turns out this whole story is even stranger than first portrayed!
http://runningthepack.com/blog/?p=60
Posted by RTPBlogger | July 30, 2008 4:29 PM
Posted on July 30, 2008 16:29
i have a 2 year young baby boxer that kisses anyone who comes her way,her pancreas and small intestines are failing.So,according to the vet without an opperation soon,this puppy will die. can anyone help me? PLEASE! write to swagbs@yahoo.com
Posted by jovialitalian | August 15, 2008 2:03 PM
Posted on August 15, 2008 14:03