Mass. Puts Rent-a-Dog Firms in Doghouse

Massachusetts lawmakers have put the kibosh on a lucrative pet rental business, which caters to busy urbanites who want to spend time with dogs without the full-time commitment. The state senate passed a bill yesterday prohibiting the renting or leasing of dogs and cats; like previous bans in Boston and London, the action was prompted by ethical considerations, reports Newsweek.

Renter FlexPetz, initially trumpeted as ZipCar for the doggy-less set, maintains its members "take the ownership responsibility seriously." But both pols and PETA believe such businesses promote the notion of "disposable pets." The crackdown has caused FlexPetz to shelve its US and London operations; current renters will have the option of adopting its dogs. (More dog stories.)