A dog is just for the afternoon in Japan

Pet rental in Japan is booming. The number of companies dedicated to renting out pets in Tokyo alone has risen from 17 in 2000 to 134 today.

Japan's passion for its 23 million cats and dogs has long been reflected in an imaginative array of pet pampering facilities, from canine acupuncture to aromatherapy massage. But a shortage of space and apartment regulations banning animals are fuelling the demand for part-time pets.

From dogs, cats and rabbits to birds, ferrets and turtles, an eclectic array of domestic animals are currently available to rent in Japan for periods ranging one hour to a week.



Small dogs cost 1,500 yen (£6.30) an hour, 10,500 yen (£44) a day and 40,000 yen (£185) a week. Large dogs cost 2,000 yen (£8.40) an hour, 21,000 yen (£88.30) a day and 60,000 yen (£252.30) a week.

The ten most popular rental animals (all prices for one day / six hours rental) are:

1. Dog 5,000 yen (£21)

2. Cat 5,000 yen (£21)

3. Hamster 1,000 yen (£4.20)

4. Rabbit 2,000 yen (£8.40)

5. Ferret 3,000 yen (£12.60)

6. Turtle 1,000 yen (£4.20)

7. Guinea pig 2,000 yen (£8.40)

8. Squirrel 3,000 yen (£12.60)

9. Bird 1,000 yen (£4.20)

10. Squirrel monkey 100,000 yen (£420)