Help Ban the Renting of Pets in Boston
A message from the MSPCA:
Boston Residents:
Flex Petz, a business that was recently established in California and rents dogs, plans to come to Boston this summer/fall.
The MSPCA supports the goal of a recent Home Rule Petition filed by City Councillor Chuck Turner called an Act Relative to the Renting of Certain Pets in the City of Boston that would prohibit such companies from doing business in Boston. This ordinance has a hearing on Monday, June 30 at 1pm at Boston City Hall in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber on the fifth floor.
What you can do:
1. Call your City Councillor. Let him or her know you are a constituent who supports the ordinance prohibiting the renting or leasing of dogs in Boston. Find your City Councillor here.
2. Attend the public hearing on June 30th to show your support. RSVP by emailing advocacy@mspca.org.
3. Contact your state legislators about a similar bill being considered at the state level.
For more information please visit our website.
Points to make:
Renting pets poses risks to public safety. Frequent transfer of companion dogs and cats from home to home, caregiver to caregiver, increases the likelihood of stress-induced aggression, even among otherwise well-mannered animals. What’s more, intermittent caregivers can’t really know these animals or how to manage their behavior.
Renting pets could burden public resources, from law enforcement to animal shelters, by fostering the attitude that it’s fine to use and return pets on whim; “disposable pet syndrome” can only lead to increased animal abandonment and abuse.
Renting pets can discourage the responsible pet ownership that makes our cities and towns a better place to live for all, including those who don’t have an affinity for animals.
Bottom line: Those who have no commitment to an animal are less inclined to care for them properly or keep them from injuring people and damaging property.
The MSPCA encourages people who want to spend time with an animal but can not make a lifetime commitment to the care of an animal to become a foster caretaker or volunteer at the MSPCA’s adoption centers or other adoption centers, animal shelters, or humane societies in Massachusetts.
Thank your for taking Action for Animals!
Advocacy Department, MSPCA