For those people, there is FlexPetz.
Here's how it works: you sign up as a member, then you pick a dog and you can spend a few hours or a few days with him then give him back and get him a few days later, or get a different dog.
This is a great idea for people like me who want to be exposed to different breeds of dogs. If they ever got a Belgian Mallinois, I'd sign up. It's also good for people who work a lot of hours but like to do stuff with a dog on the weekends.
I think it might be a little hard on the dogs but if they do it the right way and the dogs are well trained, which it seems like they are, then the dogs should be able to adjust to new surroundings and owners.
I worry about people who don't have dogs of their own and whether they will be responsible in feeding and training and taking care of the dog. It can be difficult to do the things a dog needs if you are not used to having one around all the time.
They've already launched in San Diego and are looking for a few other cities including New York this month.
The fees are very expensive though. $150 to sign up, $50 a month and another $100 once a year. And you must sign up for two years, so that's $1550. And it costs $40 a day to have the dog on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and $25 for weekdays.
That sounds prohibitive but considering what some people pay for dogs, and the costs associated with food and toys and dogs beds (all stuff that they give you when take one of their dogs) it might not be that bad.
But the real thing you'd miss out on with this program is that it's fun to have a dog around all the time, to see him sleeping, to play with whenever you want, to greet you at the door when you come home, rental pets don't do that stuff.
Note: PETA and the Humane Society are against this, pointing out that dogs need structure, and people who want to spend time with dogs but can't provide a proper home for one should volunteer at a local animal shelter.
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