Emotional support animals (ESA) can be any companion animal, though cats and dogs are the most popular choices due to their relatively easy care and availability. If you have a cat that you would like to turn into an emotional support animal, or if you are considering adopting a cat as your emotional support animal, you may be wondering how to officially register your feline friend and make this valid.
Our article gives you all the details you need to know about ESA cat registration.
Can Cats Be Emotional Support Animals?
Despite what many people think about cats being aloof and unloving, these felines make wonderful emotional support animals and can be very attached to their humans.
Emotional support animals, in general, provide relief from their owner’s mental health symptoms with their comfort, companionship, and the routine of caring for them. Cats can easily do this, as they love to cuddle with their owners, cheer them up with their playfulness, and enjoy resting alongside them at the end of a long day.
Mental health conditions that may benefit from the presence of an emotional support cat include anxiety, chronic stress, depression, and mood disorders.
How Do I Register My Cat as an Emotional Support Animal?
Whether you already have a cat or are considering adopting one to have as an emotional support animal, the process of making your ESA valid is the same. You will need an emotional support animal (ESA) letter to prove your need for an ESA and to formally request accommodations to live with your emotional support cat in any type of housing.
The first step in your ESA registration process is to meet with a mental healthcare provider licensed in your state. Your provider will be able to evaluate your condition and listen to your concerns. If they approve you for an emotional support cat, they will write you an official ESA letter stating your need and the details of your support animal. You can then immediately start using this letter to request accommodations.
It’s important that you note specific state rules when it comes to receiving an ESA letter from your mental healthcare provider; some states require that you have at least a thirty-day relationship with your provider before you are eligible to receive an ESA letter. This regulation cuts down on the number of false emotional support animals out there. Your provider can give you further guidance if you have questions about receiving your ESA letter.
How Do I Request ESA Accommodations?
Fortunately, requesting ESA accommodations is not too difficult once you have your valid emotional support animal letter. To request ESA housing accommodations, you will need to present your valid ESA letter to your landlord or rental agency.
They may ask you for more details about your animal for filing purposes, but they are not allowed to ask you about the nature of your condition or for further proof that you need an emotional support cat.
Once your ESA accommodations request has been processed, you can live with your emotional support cat in any suitable and reasonable housing.
Can My Emotional Support Cat Accommodations Be Denied?
It is very unlikely that your emotional support cat accommodations request will be denied, as cats are generally small and easy to keep in many different living arrangements. Typically, animals that cannot be properly cared for or may present an unreasonable burden to a housing area are denied.
However, your landlord may have a legal reason to deny your emotional support cat accommodations if your cat is out of control and dangerous, incredibly destructive, or present a threat to other people living around your housing area.
Additionally, you should keep in mind that while you don’t need to pay for pet fees, pet rent, or pet security deposits with your emotional support cat, you will likely still be responsible for paying for any damages or destruction your emotional support cat causes to your area of housing.
Keeping Your Feline Friend at Your Side
Emotional support cats are beneficial to many, and if you want to add a supporting feline to your treatment plan, your first step is speaking with a mental healthcare provider that is licensed in your state.
They will be able to evaluate your needs and guide you through the steps of receiving a valid ESA letter so you can keep your supportive feline friend at your side no matter where you live.
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