DW: Doggie pimps?
Want the joy of a dog without the responsibility? A new Chinese platform lets you rent one by the hour. The pet-sharing service, called Wangfu, launched in March and already operates in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Dog owners sign up and upload their pet's photos and details, while renters browse and request a walk with the dog of their choice. The fee runs from 10 to 60 yuan, or about $1.50 to $9.
There are rules to follow. Owners and renters arrange the pickup and drop-off directly, walks are limited to areas the dog knows, and the platform tracks the pet's location in real time. Both sides must verify their real identities, and Wangfu insures the animals in case something goes wrong. Reaction to the service has been split, as one would imagine; some say it could encourage more people to adopt dogs, while others worry the constant change in companions and routines causes the animals needless stress, and question the ethics of renting out beloved pets for money.
Source: Oddity Central