Pet leasing may get banned

City officials are trying to hasten the process to ban the leasing of pets, with a Calif.-based company that offers shared dog ownership set to open in Boston in a matter of weeks.

On Wednesday, City Councilor Chuck Turner filed an ordinance directed primarily at FlexPetz that would ban the leasing of pets in Boston, in addition, the ordinance would  force owners to license their pets.

Last month, a home rule petition was filed on the matter, but Turner felt his ordinance would pass more quickly through the legislative channels.

Turner, along with other councilors, criticized the company’s model, claiming the pets are treated unfairly, and that the practice would  create liability issues.

Councilor John Tobin, of West Roxbury, said his office has received “a couple hundred” e-mails from residents outraged at the concept.

However, FlexPetz CEO Marlena Cervantes told Metro in March all dogs are meticulously screened for temperament, socialization and owner dependence, and that critics’ claims are unfounded.
“We do not ‘rent’ dogs,” Cervantes said.

“We are a membership program provided to carefully screened individuals who are responsible enough to understand that their lifestyles, busy schedules, circumstances would not make full-time dog ownership fair to a dog.”