An Act Prohibiting the Renting of Pets is in peril. Its fate is up to Speaker DiMasi--and you. In these last days of the legislative session, dozens of bills are waiting to be heard. Only the squeakiest will.
 
Even if you've called before, it is essential that you call Speaker DiMasi and your own State Rep during regular business hours on Monday--or Tuesday, if you called them late last week.
 
And encourage at least two other people to do the same.
 
Every voice counts. Failure is not an option. If the bill dies, we open the door for a cruel industry--that doesn't even have the oversight of dog or horse racing.  As a result, rented pets may be physically abused, neglected or killed under the radar.
 
As if constantly uprooting dogs and cats, who require consistency and stability, weren't bad enough.

Please call:
 
1) House Speaker DiMasi, (617) 722-2500. Ask that he "please put House Bill 4893, An Act Prohibiting the Renting of Pets, on the floor for a vote this week. It needs to pass this session, to prevent a cruel and dangerous industry from becoming established in Massachusetts."
 
If you're a constituent, be sure to say so!
 
Want to double your impact? Email too! michaela.lincoln@state.ma.us
 
2) Your State Rep. Ask her/him to request that Speaker DiMasi put HB 4893 on the floor for a vote this week, same reason as above. Who's your rep?  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php or call the State House.

Make one or more of the following points if asked why you support HB 4893. Remember to keep it unemotional, and don't compare animals with children.

Animal behavior, welfare and law professionals warn that pet rental companies:

• Jeopardize public safety, because 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-trained animals. Renters can't really know an animal or how to manage his behavior, posing considerable risks to people and other animals in the home, on the street and in parks.
• Could burden public resources, from law enforcement to shelters, by fostering the attitude that it’s fine to use and return pets on a whim. "Disposable pet syndrome" can only lead to increased animal abandonment and abuse.
• Discourage the responsible pet stewardship important for harmony and safety in our communities.
  

FlexPetz says: It is a viable option for animals surrendered by owners who have lost their homes.

Animal welfare organizations say:  These animals are already stressed; they shouldn't be bounced around further at potentially great risk to people and other animals. (Stressed animals are prone to bite!)Their best opportunity for a permanent home is with a legitimate shelter or rescue group, which will socialize and ready them for adoption by a lifelong owner. MSPCA, Animal Rescue League, Buddy Dog Humane Society, Friends of the Plymouth Pound and other reputable shelters and rescue groups do NOT provide animals to pet rental companies.

FlexPetz says: Shelters give animals to abusive and neglectful homes.

Animal welfare organizations say: Legitimate shelters and rescue groups conduct exhaustive screening and, in some cases, home visits to ensure animals go only to qualified, lifelong adopters. What's more, a great effort is made to match the right animal (temperament, age, activity level, etc.) with the right adopter to ensure a long, happy relationship.

Coalition to Prohibit the Renting of Pets is a grassroots effort of caring individuals, animal behavior and welfare professionals, and animal rescue volunteers with the support of Animal Control Officers Association of Mass., Animal Law Coalition, Animal Rescue League, ASPCA, Boston Dog Rescue, Buddy Dog Humane Society, Friends of the Plymouth Pound,  Humane Society of the United States, MARC, MassPAWS, Milford Humane Society, MSPCA, PETA, Stray Pets in Need and many others.