More Problems for Pet Rental Companies?
This spring, we highlighted the inevitable controversy that was swirling around the rent-a-pet business, with FlexPetz at the center of the storm. It appears that bloggers aren’t the only folks appalled by the idea of doggy timesharing — lawmakers and activists have taken action against pet rental companies as well.
From Newsweek:
In April the British Parliament put forth a motion to prohibit pet rentals. Labor MP Drew David, who proposed the measure, said that the pet-rental business “encourages irresponsible attitudes to dog ownership.” In June, after hearing that FlexPetz planned to open a location in Boston, the Boston City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting dog rentals in the city. And on July 29, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that would prevent companies like FlexPetz from setting up shop anywhere in the state. According to legislative aide Matthew Carleo, the bill “will be placed on Governor Deval Patrick’s desk this afternoon.” Representative Paul Frost, a dog-owner who filed the bill, says the business model promotes the idea of “disposable pets.” As a Republican in a blue state, Frost rarely seeks such measures restricting commercial expansion, but said this case was exceptional. “I am not against business growth or the entrepreneurial spirit,” he says. “But there is an ethical line you have to keep in mind.”
[…]
In response to inquiries from NEWSWEEK about the effect the legislation will have on FlexPetz growth, CEO and founder [Marlena] Cervantes said that as a result of the recent legislation, she has decided to “shelve” operations in the US and London, and that each pet in all FlexPetz locations will be offered to a renter for adoption.
What does “shelve” mean exactly? Well, it doesn’t mean FlexPetz is shutting down.
On PetsitUSA’s blog about how FlexPetz had closed, a representative from the company clarified:
Just a quick correction — Flexpetz has NOT closed down, and fully intends to proceed with opening its planned 120 U.S. locations. What has happened is that the company has decided not to take on any more dogs while it studies the laws passed by Boston City Council and potential the state of MA — and what is sorely misunderstood is that Flexpetz is in the end a novel adoption program, given that most members end up adopting their favorite dog after a short time with them (which also ensures they are TRULY prepared for dog ownership). The current FP locations have adopted out all of their dogs and so none are available for new members, hence the reason the program is on hold.
We’ll keep an eye on new developments… Stay tuned.
