Something like this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_cafe

That's like the cat equivalent of a brothel.

A cathouse, as it were.

DAAS - Dogs As A Service (in the cloud of course). I'd be all over it - great chick magnets in the park :) I remember half-seriously looking for something like this a few years ago and found these guys: http://www.flexpetz.com

You mean DACHS - Dogs As a Cloud Hosted Service?

I think you can "rent" a puppy/dog for an hour at your nearest animal shelter. I think the people who work there would be more than happy if you walk a puppy/dog with your kids and give it some love for an hour.

Different animal shelters will vary on their policy, some being more open than others. For example a shelter where I volunteered put in a policy that volunteers had to commit to (something like) 15 hours/month. Needless to say volunteerism dropped significantly the next month...

Did you work at the luckiest shelter on the planet? The one I used to volunteer at [moved away] was usually clamoring for volunteers (at least in the summer).

That seems like a very odd policy.

They certainly weren't overflowing with volunteers if that's what you mean.

Hours or number of volunteers?

I hired my cat for the weekend about 10-11 years ago, fell in love, and we've been partners in crime ever since.

But then you have to go to the animal shelter. What about a startup that brings the shelter puppy to you for a fee, which is then split with the shelter? Win Win Win?

I'd actually like to eventually enable it so shelters can put their pictures up for free. That way a visitor could view and then own a pup.

And that is how brilliant cross-promotions are born.

You could ask a neighbor whether you could get their dog for a walk.