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Legalizing emotional support animals is a fabulous way to take care of our fellow men and women. But with all of the countless scams out there—who can know where to turn? Luckily, we have the answers for you! Let’s talk about how to get a letter for an emotional support animal (ESA) and ensure its validity.
What Is an ESA Letter?
An ESA letter is an official document stating that you require the company of your emotional support animal. This legal document is typically for landlords who don’t allow pets, as it gives you permission to keep your pet in your home free of charge.
While there are plenty of legitimate ESA letters online, you have to be very careful of scams. The internet is littered with scammers ready to take your credit card information and other details at every turn.
So, if you plan to get a letter online as opposed to going through your doctor’s office, searching for a legal option is crucial.
Do You Need an ESA Letter?
You don’t actually need to have an ESA letter online, as your family doctor can most likely provide this. The only thing you need for sure is a written order from your doctor to qualify for an emotional support animal. The letter written by your doctor is considered completely sufficient ESA documentation.
No matter where you get your approval letter, you will likely need it if your landlord has a no-pet policy. They have to approve your request by law, though some can be very reluctant if an animal is anything other than a cat or dog.
How Does Online ESA Letters Work?
When you find a reputable online company that grants ESA letters, you will go through a series of steps to get full approval. Generally, you undergo a quick questionnaire to see if you might qualify. Once you are approved, you are matched with a licensed therapist in your home state.
The doctor will go over a series of questions with you to see if an emotional support animal will work in your situation. If the doctor allows you to, they will approve your request. Once they approve, you will be mailed or emailed a verification along with your legal ESA letter.
What Determines Eligibility for an Emotional Support Animal?
Surprisingly, a wide list of potential pets can qualify as emotional support animals. Some of these include:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Guinea pigs
- Birds
- Rats
- Hamsters
- Ferrets
- Miniature pigs
These are just a handful of examples—there are several additional options.
Do Emotional Support Animals Need Special Training?
Since so many different species are eligible to be emotional support animals, some of them couldn’t be trained in the same way as, say, a Golden Retriever.
Emotional support animals can enhance wellbeing with companionship, which does not require training. Service animals who are trained to fulfill a specific purpose, on the other hand, do require extensive hands-on experience.
Do You Need a Special License?
You don’t need a special license to have an emotional support animal. However, you do need a doctor’s recommendation. That would display all the necessary information to tote and keep your emotional service animal.
Reputable ESA Letters Online
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and effective way to get approved for a service animal, here are a few choices that can meet your needs.
Pettable
At Pettable, they have tons of accreditation and recommendations from several companies. It has the fastest approval rate of its competitors. You take an assessment, consult with a therapist in your state, and receive your ESA letter via email in 24 hours.
CertaPet
CertaPet is a reputable site that offers connections and approval for ESAs. First, you take a 5-minute screening to see if you qualify. Then, you speak to a licensed therapist in your state, then you get your letter via email or mail—whichever you prefer.
Real ESA Letter
Real ESA Letter offers a comprehensive ESA letter package—including a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t approved for any reason. They can also approve up to three emotional support animals, but no more.
ESA Doctors
ESA Doctors have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They have a very straightforward process with a 100% money-back guarantee as well. You get our approval letter in 1–3 business days.
Registration
Once you have your letter, you can register your animals with US Service Animals. You will receive an animal ID card and any applicable information. The registration does not invalidate the importance of the ESA prescription letter.
Can Landlords Reject an ESA Letter?
Landlord and tenant rights regarding emotional support animals may differ by state. However, if you have a legal document stating that your pet is an emotional support or service animal, they are exempt from no-pet restrictions.
That being said, if you have an animal that poses a threat to others, you might have another problem on your hands. Any potentially dangerous animal is caused to decline an emotional support animal from residing at your dwelling.
Perks of Online ESA Letters
Online ESA letters offer fast approval and flat rate fees. So, if you’re a person without insurance or you have to pay a hefty fee each time you go to the doctor, getting approval online might be faster or cheaper for you.
However, if you think it’s more convenient to call up your own doctor and make an appointment, that’s just as effective.
Downfalls of Online ESA Letters
If you don’t do the proper research, you might end up paying for something you can’t end up using. Some sketchy online sites are not legitimate approval companies but scams to cheat honest people out of hard-earned money.
How Do You Know If Online ESA Letters Are Legitimate?
According to ESA Doctors, here is a list of criteria that could be big red flags for online ESA letters:
- Offering ESA registration
- Using the word “certify” to complete the ESA
- Instant turnaround guarantee
- The letter isn’t written by a licensed professional in your state
- The professional doesn’t hold an applicable license
- Too-good-to-be-true prices
- No customer/company communication
Conclusion
Any ESA website should hook you up with licensed professionals in your state for legal purposes. So, if you need a legitimate ESA letter, look online for credibility. If it is an obscure company without a lot of online feedback, check legitimacy.
If your emotional well-being improves by loving an animal, don’t hesitate to get approval. If you have a family doctor, that might be your quickest path to receiving your letter, permitting that they have an appointment availability.
Related Reads:
- When Can a Landlord Legally Reject an ESA (Emotional Support Animal)?
- ESA Doctors Letter Service Review: Our Expert’s Breakdown
Featured Image Credit: nakaridore, Freepik
