Bizarre - Rent-a-pet

A pet rental service has been launched in the US.FlexPetz allows its customer to enjoy spending time with its crew of dogs for a fee of $49, without the hassle of caring for them fulltime.Founder Marlena Cervantes said: "Our members are responsible in that they realise full-time ownership is not an option for them and would be unfair to the dog."It prevents dogs from being adopted and then returned to the shelter by people who realise it wasn't a good fit."FlexPetz hire out Afghan hounds, Labrador retrievers and Boston terriers.Part-time owner Jenny Goddard said the service was perfect for her busy family, who rent a black Labrador named Jackpot. She said: "It's funny. He is so friendly and immediately playful with us, people are surprised he is a rental dog."