Miscellaneous

Pimping Pets

Anyone ever heard of a company called FlexPetz? It's in the business of renting out dogs and cats to people who want the companionship in the short term; clients pay $300 plus $50 a month (as well as an additional charge when a pet is rented) for the right to borrow a pet from FlexPetz for a few weeks or months. Screening is done, the pets aren't kept in kennels and, presumably, the service brings a lot of happiness to the clients, some of whom even ultimately adopt a pet. There are several branches nationwide, but FlexPetz's attempts to open up an office in Boston have hit a snag.

Several state legislators have filed a piece of legislation attempting to ban the business of renting dogs and cats. Why?

Ray McSoley, owner of Animal Behavior Associates in Westwood, said, ?I have no problem with ambassador dogs at hotels, but renting a dog is a four-legged escort service. It devalues all parties. It promotes the whole concept of no commitment. They take the most adoptable dogs out of a shelter, suck all the positive energy out of them for two years, then put them up for adoption. It?s a horrible idea.?

Valid?

Full post as published by Quiz Law on March 05, 2008 (boomark / email).