Elected officials in Massachusetts have recently filed legislation to ban pet rental businesses in the state.  Check out this post by our Boston site for more details.  Flexpetz (the same company causing all the commotion in Mass) already has a NY location.  They operate out of the Wet Nose Doggy Gym at 34 East 13th St.

I don’t think anyone can argue the benefits for the people…the joys of pet ownership, but only when it’s convenient, but is it fair to the dogs?  According to people who oppose pet rental, they believe that it detrimental and can potentially confusing and upsetting to the animal. 

But according to Flexpetz, all of their dogs have been rescued from animal shelters and their hope is that they will be adopted by someone who rents them and falls in love.  Furthermore, pet rental clients are thoroughly screened before they are allowed to become clients and they insist that the dogs are very happy and well cared for.

One of our readers in Boston pointed out that many people don’t how much responsibility is involved in owning a dog.  Many dogs end up in shelters each year because their owners realize too late that they aren’t prepared to take on the responsiblity  of pet ownership.  Could sad situations like this be avoided if people had the opportunity to test drive pet ownership?

What do you think?    Is this a good way to let people enjoy spending a little time with a dog if they are unable to keep one as a pet, or is it unfair for the dogs themselves?