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Mass. Puts Rent-a-Dog Firms in Doghouse

Recent laws, bans making pay-as-you-play pets unavailable

By Debra Goldberg,  Newser User

Posted Jul 30, 2008 12:48 PM CDT

(Newser) – Massachusetts lawmakers have put the kibosh on a lucrative pet rental business, which caters to busy urbanites who want to spend time with dogs without the full-time commitment. The state senate passed a bill yesterday prohibiting the renting or leasing of dogs and cats; like previous bans in Boston and London, the action was prompted by ethical considerations, reports Newsweek.

Renter FlexPetz, initially trumpeted as ZipCar for the doggy-less set, maintains its members "take the ownership responsibility seriously." But both pols and PETA believe such businesses promote the notion of "disposable pets." The crackdown has caused FlexPetz to shelve its US and London operations; current renters will have the option of adopting its dogs.

Dog walker Morgan Tubman walks dog with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background in San Francisco. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Dog walker Morgan Tubman walks dog with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background in San Francisco. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (AP Photo)
Eve, an 8 month old boxer up for adoption, waits to be introduced to the crowd at Broadway Barks 9!,last year in New York.  The dog and cat adopt-a-thon assists New York animal shelters in their mission to find pets good homes.
Eve, an 8 month old boxer up for adoption, waits to be introduced to the crowd at Broadway Barks 9!,last year in New York. The dog and cat adopt-a-thon assists New York animal shelters in their mission...   (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rests on her water bowl, during last year's Bay Colony Dog Show in Boston.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rests on her water bowl, during last year's Bay Colony Dog Show in Boston.   (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)
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