Flexible Ownership of … Pets!

• Jonathan Swift
  November 18th, 2007 at 5:18 am

  I’m sure the animals will really enjoy this.

• Holly
  November 18th, 2007 at 7:19 am

  I agree. I think you would end up numbing the animals’ sense of companionship. On the other hand, if this was done with puppies/dogs/cats from the pound, it may be good for them because it would get them out of that environment for some time. It could also harm them for the first reason I said it would be a bad idea. I guess you could compare it to big brother/big sister, but with pets. I don’t know.. it’s a weird proposition. When in doubt, don’t.

• Tempscire
  November 18th, 2007 at 10:34 am

  Might depend on the pet’s personality and history. A friendly dog who was never abandoned would probably enjoy this more than one who was, for instance.

• Darren
  November 18th, 2007 at 11:07 am

  They totally stole my puppy leasing idea: http://tinyurl.com/yw776g

• L
  November 18th, 2007 at 2:56 pm

  I don’t think it would work for every pet. Some dogs are one-human creatures. Take them out of their comfort zone, and they’d be all neurotic.

  You wouldn’t do this to a kid, would you? Well, I guess you would. That’s what joint custody is all about. Ask kids how they like that!

• Melissa
  November 18th, 2007 at 8:04 pm

  I thought of this years ago. I think it’d be awesome. But they shouldn’t add any more pets to the world by buying from breeders, they should use ones from shelters and rescue organizations. As long as they do that, they’re doing good. People like me and my hubby aren’t set up to keep a dog properly permanently,but might enjoy having one around from time to time. And it would be great for familys with kids who want pets. They could see the responsibility first hand with a rental animal before being stuck with a permanent animal they weren’t ready for. So many times a kid pesters and pesters for a dog and Mom and Dad cave in and the kid is thrilled for a few weeks,then the new wears off and the pet becomes an unloved hassle. Rentals could bypass that fate. It’d be a great way to experiment with different breed types,too. I like the looks of some breeds,but have never really tried having one around. Rentals would be great for finding just what type of dog (or pet in general) is right for you.

• donna
  November 18th, 2007 at 9:39 pm

  Please just volunteer with your local humane society. They need dogwalkers and catsitters….

• ted
  November 19th, 2007 at 7:06 am

  This reminds me of Italy. When cat-owners no longer need/want their cats, they set them free to become strays. I think the same thing happens for dogs.

  I’ve been to the cat sanctuary in Rome - smells like cats, but it’s a pretty famous place, built on the spot where Julius Caesar was killed.

  Pet ownership as a casual thing isn’t new. This is simply an idea to make a few bucks off it.

• jerry shapiro
  November 19th, 2007 at 1:29 pm

  anything in this world that will bring any love to a pet is worth trying, rather than being cynical and dismissing the idea out-of-hand. where’s the harm? this could actually benefit the pets least likely to be adopted — the older, the more aggressive, the sick…

• jim
  November 20th, 2007 at 12:03 pm

  Another option is to look at foster care for animals. A lot of shelter animals go through foster care before they’re ready to be adopted out to the world.

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