Unusual Business Ideas That Work:
Flexpetz recently launched in Los Angeles and San Diego, and offers consumers the option of having a dog for just a few hours or days a week.
Which is a good solution for people who’d love to have a dog, but are too busy, travel frequently, or live in buildings that don’t allow dog ownership.
The dogs come from breed rescue shelters, who take in specific breeds and help pick animals that are well-suited to a live as Flexpetz. When they’re not spending time with members, the dogs live in a cage-free facility that provides a safe and steady base.
The company’s founder, Marlena Cervantes, views Flexpetz like an extended family: “When our dogs spend time with their extended family members, they are lavished with love and undivided attention. We feel our this concept allows our dogs more love and attention than single ownership can often provide.”
Before being allowed to rent a dog, members go through a mandatory training session with a certified Flexpetz dog trainer. The service aims to expand to New York, San Francisco and Boston soon, followed by other cities in the United States and abroad.
Photo by Flexpetz.
FranchiseBrief.com on April 30th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
While this might be a great idea, I don’t really see the point here…
Nicole on December 28th, 2007 at 10:52 am
I just think if people can’t be responsible for a pet why should they be able to rent one. This could be confusing to the dog and also what everytime you go back you can choose a different one. What are we teaching our children when as adults we want something, but may not want to change our lifestyles or responsiblities for it.
Liz on May 19th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I don’t think this is about responsibility, at least not that way. It would be irresponsible of me to get a dog and leave it home alone in a crate for 10 hours a day. I love dogs, and these are dogs that would otherwise live in animal shelters…until they were euthanized. Also, if this is a way for people to “test out” fostering, they might decide that they do have room in their lives for a pet and foster or adopt when they were reluctant to do so before. Add to that the reduction in people who “adopt” a pet only to return it in a month when they decide that it’s not worth it….I think there is a lot of room in our society for this opportunity.
Lilly on June 27th, 2008 at 8:09 am
My sister has stage 4 cancer, is very lonely (I work all day at home), and really wants a pet. However, she cannot care for one, and has been told that maintaining a cat box or picking up the yard would be very hazardous to hear immune system. Rent-a-Pet fills the human craving for touch, and gives a loving animal the same. It’s kind of the same as the animal visits to nursing homes, in a way, but she lives at home and does not have that option.
You can’t imagine the difference this has made in the quality of her life.
Lilly on June 27th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Some people say renting a dog is because people just can’t commit these days, and the pound puppies suffer because they don’t get that committed relationship. But sometimes it’s better for people to look before they leap. How many pets have been adopted on the spur of the moment and are neglected when it’s no longer today’s overly busy life makes owning a pet no longer convenient, but a chore? How fair is *that* to the animal? And you know it happens all the time. Renting a dog is kind of like dating. You want companionship, but you date to find the right one before you marry, and committing to owing a pet is kind of like marriage. You’re committed for the life of the animal. It’s not a jump in with both feet without thinking kind of thing to do. Many rent-a-pet agencies allow you to purchase the pup if you become very attached.
Also, think about this… when you own a pet, in this busy world, how much time do you REALLY spend doing things with them? If you used a stopwatch you’d be shocked. It’s less than 30 minuts a day for most people, and way less than that for some. At least when you rent a dog for an hour or a day, both the renter and the pet are getting the full attention. And when they go back to the rental company, the owners and handlers also care for them because it’s their business. So I don’t see how it’s a losing deal for either.
I’m all for it.