September 25, 2007

• Horrible

  Have you heard of the new thing? Pet renting. Don’t believe me? I didn’t believe it at first. Check out http://www.flexpetz.com/

  FlexPetz has a plan for people who don’t have time to commit to owning a dog. The plan?…”Shared dog  ownership”. I’m not kidding.
  For an annual fee of $99.95, a monthly payment of $49.95 and a
  per-visit charge of $39.95 a day (discounted to $24.95 Sunday through
  Thursday) you can have a dog when you want it.

  This is a horrible horrible thing. Here is what the ASPCA said about it in a press release:

  NEW YORK, August 3, 2007—The recent debut
  of Flexpetz (a flexible dog ownership program) claims to offer a
  “unique” option for individuals and families who love spending time
  with dogs but can’t “manage” full-time ownership. These individuals and
  families are paired with the pooch of their dreams, “for a few hours or
  a few days.”

  The ASPCA believes this goes against the very concept
  of developing the human-animal bond, which we in the animal welfare
  world work so hard to promote. Dogs and other pets deserve a family and
  home that they can depend on. They are not commodities to be availed of
  when the whim strikes, and to be put away when not.

  This is also fundamentally different from the practice
  several animal shelters and rescues have of fostering pets, unlike the
  claims of some news reports. Animal rescues use foster care in a
  variety of situations. When there is no “bricks and mortar” shelter
  facility available, rescue groups will foster animals in private homes.
  Humane groups and SPCAs with animal shelters will often use foster
  programs for animals with special needs, such as nursing mothers and
  litters, dogs and cats with special behavioral or medical needs, and
  other pets that would benefit from a ‘home’ environment. The primary
  aim of fostering is to provide a loving, safe environment until a
  permanent home can be found for the animal—which is fundamentally
  different from the Flexpetz concept, which does not even seek to find a
  permanent home for the animal.

  The ASPCA recommends that if you are unable to have a
  pet of your own, due to time or other constraints, yet you recognize
  the immense value the interaction with a companion animal can bring to
  their life, you should first avail of several other options available.
  For example, you can volunteer at your local animal shelter where you
  can walk dogs, socialize cats and help pets find new homes, without
  committing an extensive amount of time to a companion animal.

  If you are able to provide care for animals for longer
  periods of time, please consider providing foster care for rescued
  animals. You will be doing your local animal rescue a great service by
  providing a safe and loving environment for the animal while its
  permanent placement is sought. Finally, donating funds to your local
  animal shelters, rescue group or a national animal welfare organization
  like the ASPCA, is another way to help provide for the many homeless
  animals in our country.

  ###

  Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®)
  was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and
  today has one million supporters. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit
  corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the
  prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The
  ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted
  therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane
  education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York
  City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital,
  adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law
  Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is
  featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal
  Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

  What next, Flexkidz? Want a child but don’t don’t think you want one fulltime? Rent one.

  Added later:

  The Humane Society of the United States Comments on Flex Petz

  (August 6, 2007)—The Humane Society of the United States is critical
  of the concept of renting a pet for the day. While it may be well
  intentioned, Flex Petz is not likely to benefit the overall welfare of
  the dogs they rent.

  Dogs form attachments to their families and instinctively learn to
  protect their packs. Frequent and abrupt changes in location, routine,
  discipline and attention are confusing and are likely to lead to
  stress-induced behavior problems. Dogs are not like cars or furniture.
  Moving them from person to person, home to home, can induce problems
  such as anxiety and depression.

  “The Humane Society of the United States admires Flex Petz’ attempts
  to aid homeless animals,” comments John Snyder, vice president for the
  companion animal section of The HSUS. “However, I can’t stress enough
  that the solution to the pet overpopulation problem is widespread
  spaying and neutering, adoption of homeless animals from shelters or
  rescue groups and, to avoid relinquishment, proper behavior training of
  dogs.” 

   The HSUS urges dog lovers unable to make a life-long commitment to
  a pet to seek better and equally fulfilling options. Animal shelters
  and dog rescue organizations across the country seek caring volunteers
  to spend quality time with the animals available for adoption for
  play-time, walking and other forms of socialization. People can also
  provide foster care, in their home, for a dog or cat who needs extra
  attention while he or she awaits a permanent adoptive family.

  • 6:43 am
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