An Act Prohibiting the Renting of Pets

TAKE ACTION

The bill was passed by the House on July 22!

The bill now needs to be voted on by the Senate! Call your Senator and ask him/her to encourage the Senate to vote on the bill - it needs to be voted on before July 31 so it is important that you call today! Click here for talking points on why legislators should support the bill. Find out who represents you and their contact information at http://www.wheredoivotema.com/ (you will want to contact your state Senator who you can find under "Senate in General Court" at the bottom of the page once you have entered your contact information).

If you are uncomfortable making a phone call, you can send an email to your Senator to urge his or her support of the bill.

The bill would prohibit the practice of renting pets in Massachusetts. Recent news of a company, FlexPetz, coming to Boston has prompted concerns among people who care about animals. The MSPCA has been working with The Coalition to Prohibit the Renting of Pets to pass this bill. Visit our webpage to learn more about the MSPCA's opposition to the renting of pets.

UPDATE: The Boston Ordinance to Prohibit Pet Rental Passes! Click here to learn more and thank your Boston City Councilor!

Sponsor: Representative Frost

###### SECTION 1. Chapter 272 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 80H the following section:- Section 80 I. No person shall engage in the business of leasing or renting dogs and cats. Any dogs or cats held for such leasing or renting may be seized or impounded by an organization or authorized agent thereof that is empowered to seize or impound under the General Laws. For the purpose of this section, leasing or renting a dog or cat shall mean the intentional practice and advertising of renting a dog or a cat for a fee or a cost which knowingly will result in a temporary ownership of the animal by another party. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than five hundred dollars. This section is not intended to prohibit service animal businesses or organizations, pet adoption and foster care services, and working animals for the following purposes but not limited too farming and agriculture, entertainment and shows which are already acceptable under the General Laws, sporting and hunting, racing and for breeding purposes so long it is not contrary to the General Laws. Further, this section will not prohibit a pet store or kennel or pet adoption service or other entity allowed to sell pets under the General Laws for a fee or a cost from taking back a pet they may have sold if the owner cannot keep or handle the pet they had acquired. ########

RENT-A-PET BUSINESS DELIVERED BLOW IN US

Dogs Trust supports proposed law to prevent inhumane rental of dogs

The campaign against the cruel dog rental trade has made a step forward in the US today (Thursday), says the UK’s largest dog welfare charity Dogs Trust, raising hopes of a ban on this side of the Atlantic.

The Act Prohibiting the Renting of Pets has passed the Massachusetts House in the United States, which means that if approved by the Senate as anticipated, Massachusetts will become the first state to ban the industry. This will directly impact on the company Flexpetz, which has recently and controversially started operating in the UK.

Coalition to Prohibit the Renting of Pets was responsible for the US victory, and Dogs Trust was one of the many local, national and international organisations that lent its support.

Dogs Trust CEO Clarissa Baldwin said:

“Today’s news is fantastic, but we now need the UK to follow this sound reasoning and prohibit the dog rental trade. Dogs Trust, and many other animal welfare charities, work hard to promote the respect for animals that is so undermined by businesses like Flexpetz.

“Dogs are complex social animals that need stability, routine and a loving family. Compromising these needs for profit is unacceptable and UK law should take steps to reflect this.”