LAKELAND, Fla. -- SPCA Florida in Lakeland has a new program that allows folks to take a dog out for a half day.

  • Officials hope 'rentals' will find forever homes
  • Those interested have to be 18 or older to register
  • Link: Rent a Dog program

It's called "rent-a-dog."

SPCA hopes that when the dogs are taken out into the general public, they will wind up finding a new forever home. 

The program is free. Residents 18 and older have to fill out some paperwork before they take the dog out.

In some cases the "renters" might end up deciding to keep the dog. That's what Carl Lewis figured when Spectrum Bay News 9 let him and his daughter Brittany Lewis pet "Katie."

She is a mixed breed dog Spectrum Bay News 9 checked out for part of a day on Monday. 

"More than likely with her yes," said Carl Lewis. "She'd come home and go, 'Dad I don't want to bring it back. I want to keep the dog.'"

The rent-a-dog program is set to start on Wednesday.