Pet leasing???

I just read this article. It is amazing. It has to be a very hard thing for a dog.  I am glad for the pets that actually found good home while on the "lease", but still its not right.

 Leases of horses are extremely common, and have been for a long time. The main difference is that if several different people are using/riding the horse during the same period, the horse is typically kept in the same barn and the different riders come there (as opposed to keeping the horse in a different barn each week or somesuch).

I don't see "dog leasing" as that wildly different. Assuming the dog has the temperament to be able to handle the changes, and a good deal of precautions are taken to minimize stress (keeping a schedule, same food, extensive screening, consistent training/commands, etc.), I don't see what the big deal is. Wouldn't it be better to "rent" a dog than to go out and buy one of your own when you weren't equipped to give it a good life 24/7? I know plenty of people who would LOVE to be able to "borrow" a dog for a few hours, or for a weekend, to take the dog hiking, cuddle with the dog to watch movies, etc. But during the week (or during a couple of weeks a month, such as traveling) they just can't adequately care for a dog, so they don't own one.

Especially if the dogs used in these programs are "dogs in need," such as shelter dogs who aren't being adopted, it seems like a win-win situation for animal lovers and for dogs. At least in theory. I'd be interested to hear how it works in practice.
 

Cita, Ideally I agree with you but just like dogs parks the reality is far different then the idea of the situation.

Not all dogs used for this program are needy dogs. If there is a demand for it people who want to make money will find a way to exploit dogs.

Dogs are creatures of habit and even the most stable of dogs will suffer some sort of anxiety or issues from being shipped around to such different environments. Some homes could be full of screaming kids with no doggie manners.

I think my biggest issue is that it teaches people that relationships and dogs are disposable. What kind of message would you be sending to your young child?

You can get the same fullfillment from working at a shelter and walking dogs from a rescue or shelter. If you want to take a dog for a hike I'm sure a rescue wouldnt have a issue with it. The difference is that you KNOW it is a needy dog, they arnt making money off of your rental and the dog wasnt obtained for the shelter for the purpose of being exploited. Not to mention a shelter would do a considerably better job of screening dog sitters.

Leasing to me is almost the same as fostering and if the screening process is as rigorous as typical fostering I think thats a great idea and a great way for potential dog owners to find out if that breed or dog is right for them!