Can I be a emotional support animal

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 2, 2017

I am a 6 year old calico cat.
If My master gets a letter from his Psychiatrist Don't know if I should have posted in this group, My master tried to post in IMO, but saw nowhere to start a new thread.
He had not officially been diagnosed with any certain condition just yet, But sometimes he tells me I am all he has, and he has to keep living to take care of me.
Sometimes he tells me, so and so will come take care of me, (cause hes going to die, But he don't really want to die, but he does feel that way sometimes.
I honestly do feel that I provide emotional support and companionship to him. My master only gets $1,013.00 a month, and still has his tools as he is a retired mechanic, and wants to keep his tools, and also does woodworking, and has promised to make me a kitty condo when/ if we get moved.
He has applied for HUD because of his low income, he says "there is too much month left at the end of the money"
I don't know what that means, but I do know sometimes he has to feed me the cheap dollar store, "newmans" cat food, well, you know what,
I DIDNT EAT IT. That fixed him. He had to use his credit card to get me my fancy feast. The House we are in now is too small too, as he is often banging into things around here.

So, if his psychiatrist does believe that I do provide him emotional support, and he writes a letter, will that be enough for him to have the pet fees and/or deposits waived.
Understand, I do feel that I do provide emotional support to him, and I do believe that he honestly feels that I give him emotional support, and sort of therapy, because he thinks I am funny a lot of times.
PS, he has promised me he would not get rid of me.
So If you could help us with this, I would be thankful. I think a lot of his problem too, with depression, is where we are living too. One time when he was away, men came in here, and scattered all of my masters items around, looking for money. (I was scared, and hid behind the sofa)
I was listening on the other line (dont tell him) and the HUD lady was the one that told him, that I might be considered something like a service anamial, by providing emotional support, and that it was, indeed legal.
Thank you,
Cleopatra.

Kieka · Mar 2, 2017

Any animal can be deemed an emotional support animal (I've seen an emotional support snake). Laws vary from state to state though on what that allows for.

There are two categories of animals mentioned in various laws (at least in relation to a individual person, therapy animals are clinical settings). Service and Emotional Support(aka Assistance). Emotional Support do not provide physical assistance for daily tasks, they also don't have to be as well trained (so long as they don't provide a safety issue or disturb people), and they do not have to be accommodated by allowing access of emotional support in public area which animals are not allowed. That last one impacted me at my old job because people were constantly trying to bring in emotional support animals. Generally speaking dogs are the only recognized service animals and in some states only specific breeds at that.

All that said, to the question of emotional support animals being waived for apartment fees/deposits the answer varies by state. By federal guidelines you are entitled to a reasonable accommodation, even if there is a no pets policy, provided you give documentation that the animal is needed due to a disability (no specific certification or registration is required just a note from a doctor that says there is a need for the animal due to a disability). As part of the reasonable accommodation you can request a waiver of the pet fees with an agreement to pay for any damages because of financial hardship. Say you are asking for "a reasonable accommodation to keep your pet who functions as an assistance animal" and that the pet rent causes an undue financial hardship. That you will pay for any damages attributed to having the pet in the housing should the need arise. Likely a deposit would still be required but since that is refundable if not needed it isn't viewed as a hardship in most states. In my experience, landlords often don't want to risk legal battles to keep an animal out provided the animal isn't making a lot of noise and will make reasonable accommodations when asked if documentation is provided.

I am not sure if it applies to emotional support but I know with service animals the only questions we could ask is if the person has a disability and what service the animal provided. No proof was required in those situations.

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 2, 2017

Right, well, he will have to see what his Dr. Says. There is this one place close by, (would make for an easy move) he is interested, but the ad did say no pets. He does not want to give me away. I think I have him meet the owners first, and maybe get them to like him first, then see what his Dr. says, and if he gets the letter, he can show it to the owner.

Willowy · Mar 2, 2017

You need to have a mental health care professional write a letter to say that you should have a pet for your mental health. It's not too hard in most places. But they do need to have that letter on file, it's not like a service dog that has public access rights.

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 2, 2017

Ok, no I don't want to take the cat in public places, just want to have the right to have this pets policy and or pet deposit waved. Personally, I don't think it's fair, in some cases, land lords(always hated that term, like he's better than me,) want to charge an EXTRA $50.00 A MONTH, EVERY MONTH. Like it's a crime to have a pet.
When you say "they" must keep the paper on file, do you mean the "landlord" or the mental health professional.
I am seeing one now.
AGAIN, I do honestly believe the cat does give me emotional support, and also makes me laugh, because she is funny sometimes.
Thank you.
She is pretty too.

IMG_20161120_154013640.jpg

mrbreezeet1
Mar 2, 2017

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mrbreezeet1 · Mar 2, 2017

Funny one of her. (her and her boxes)

IMG_20170228_164109624.jpg

mrbreezeet1
Mar 2, 2017

kalebkat · Mar 3, 2017

She is BEAUTIFUL mr. breeze! She reminds me of a long hair version of my cat who passed on.

Chloe Resting April 2011.JPG

kalebkat
Mar 3, 2017

Her name was Chloe and I miss her terribly. Pretty, wasn't she? I've always loved calicos. Lately I've also been fascinated by tuxedos!!

About your concern: I have been told it is very easy to qualify for an assistance animal. I met someone who had a dog. I wish I'd have saved the email he sent me with the attachment for the application. Apparently here in Pennsylvania all you must do is apply and meet the criteria (to qualify) for a service animal. The animal must meet a certain criteria too. Here in PA, the only part that became complicated (If I remember correctly) is that the service animal has to be trained. For some reason I'm thinking a cat would not qualify, more than likely because this person had a dog and the dog was well trained and also because he rattled off a bunch of trained assets that his service dog had that any potential service animal must have. So is there a test that an animal must pass to be considered for this type of thing?

Also, I think he had a card that he carried around. His dog was "certified" So aside from being a qualified owner of a service animal, there is an application process and from what I was told you have to carry the card with you. But other than that it seems pretty straightforward .. (in pennsylvania, anyhow )

imjustacatmom · Mar 3, 2017

@mrbreezeet1

Aloha...my girl Duchess is my ESA...and you do need a letter from your psychiatrist...there are federal guidelines and the new one that came basically say pretty much any animal can be an ESA...your landlord may want to keep a copy of the letter from your doctoe...anyhoo...most places in my experience all I need to say she is my ESA...and they don't bother looking at my paper...it is illegal for a landlord to refuse you this...many places say no pets however by federal law they aren't allowed to...now finding someone to actually enforce and people to protest well it's time consuming and takes energy that if you don't have its not worth it...with that being said believe it or not there are people willing to rent to folks with ESA's you just have to look around...but like I said most ppl when you tell them you have an ESA and the paperwork to back it up...they leave you be...blessings in getting your paperwork and a new place

Norachan · Mar 4, 2017

Hi @mrbreezeet1

I don't know too much about ESA, it sounds like others have already given you the answers you needed. I just wanted to say I think your cat is beautiful.

I hope you find the perfect new home for both of you. Please keep us posted. I'd love to see some pictures of that Kitty Condo when you make it. There's nothing like a building project to keep you interested in life.

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 4, 2017

KalebKat said:
Her name was Chloe and I miss her terribly. Pretty, wasn't she? I've always loved calicos. Lately I've also been fascinated by tuxedos!!

About your concern: I have been told it is very easy to qualify for an assistance animal. I met someone who had a dog. I wish I'd have saved the email he sent me with the attachment for the application. Apparently here in Pennsylvania all you must do is apply and meet the criteria (to qualify) for a service animal. The animal must meet a certain criteria too. Here in PA, the only part that became complicated (If I remember correctly) is that the service animal has to be trained. For some reason I'm thinking a cat would not qualify, more than likely because this person had a dog and the dog was well trained and also because he rattled off a bunch of trained assets that his service dog had that any potential service animal must have. So is there a test that an animal must pass to be considered for this type of thing?

Also, I think he had a card that he carried around. His dog was "certified" So aside from being a qualified owner of a service animal, there is an application process and from what I was told you have to carry the card with you. But other than that it seems pretty straightforward .. (in pennsylvania, anyhow )

Thank You

Yes, She was pretty too.
Well, I don't think Cleo, would be an service animal Per-say But I have heard the term "emotional support animal"
I kind of think of think If I just tell the landlord I have the paper, (show it to them) They might let me rent it.
I have to read on the actual laws, But I like how someone posted, Most people would rather avoid the legal hassle.
The cat would have no other training except to Go to her dish and sit when I ask her, "where does a kitty cat go when she wants to eat"?

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 4, 2017

Norachan said:
Hi @mrbreezeet1

I don't know too much about ESA, it sounds like others have already given you the answers you needed. I just wanted to say I think your cat is beautiful.

I hope you find the perfect new home for both of you. Please keep us posted. I'd love to see some pictures of that Kitty Condo when you make it. There's nothing like a building project to keep you interested in life.

Thank You. She's funny in the Box Right?

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 4, 2017

imjustacatmom said:
@mrbreezeet1

Aloha...my girl Duchess is my ESA...and you do need a letter from your psychiatrist...there are federal guidelines and the new one that came basically say pretty much any animal can be an ESA...your landlord may want to keep a copy of the letter from your doctoe...anyhoo...most places in my experience all I need to say she is my ESA...and they don't bother looking at my paper...it is illegal for a landlord to refuse you this...many places say no pets however by federal law they aren't allowed to...now finding someone to actually enforce and people to protest well it's time consuming and takes energy that if you don't have its not worth it...with that being said believe it or not there are people willing to rent to folks with ESA's you just have to look around...but like I said most ppl when you tell them you have an ESA and the paperwork to back it up...they leave you be...blessings in getting your paperwork and a new place

Thanks Cat Mom
that's Great to Know.
Especially that it is actually illegal for a landlord to refuse you.
No, I don't have the energy to have it enforced.
At one time I would have but not now, But hopefully just quoting the law will be enough.

imjustacatmom · Mar 4, 2017

@mrbreezeet1

Well I pray the best for you both...just so you have a bit of clarification...an ESA is not a service animal...only dogs and horses can be service animals because the are trainable (this to the best of my knowledge) however alot of people including landlords wiLL say they are service animals...myself included lolol

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 4, 2017

imjustacatmom said:
@mrbreezeet1

Well I pray the best for you both...just so you have a bit of clarification...an ESA is not a service animal...only dogs and horses can be service animals because the are trainable (this to the best of my knowledge) however alot of people including landlords wiLL say they are service animals...myself included lolol

Yes, I know she is not going to be an actual "service animal. " But You stated above,

".my girl Duchess is my ESA...and you do need a letter from your psychiatrist...there are federal guidelines and the new one that came basically say pretty much any animal can be an ESA...your landlord may want to keep a copy of the letter from your doctoe...anyhoo...most places in my experience all I need to say she is my ESA...and they don't bother looking at my paper...it is illegal for a landlord to refuse you this...many places say no pets however by federal law they aren't allowed to"

This is still true correct?

imjustacatmom · Mar 4, 2017

Yes that is correct...someone else said something to that effect...so I was just adding clarification that's all

@mrbreezeet1

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 4, 2017

Thanks Just a cats mom!! Show the cat(s) you have now.
That is cleo as a baby in my profile picture on the bench.

bench cleo.jpg

mrbreezeet1
Mar 4, 2017

imjustacatmom · Mar 4, 2017

@mrbreezeet1

Hère are my babies

20170222_165222.jpg

imjustacatmom
Mar 4, 2017

20170222_172524.jpg

imjustacatmom
Mar 4, 2017

Duchess is the Siamese and my ESA Prince is my white fluffy mcfluffster who I say is a Persialayan no he's not mixed...just something I came up when I joined this site lolol
Your little girl is beautiful!!!!

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 4, 2017

Aww, they are beautiful.
Duchess has such blue eyes. Prince is a little fur-ball. I'll bet he is the more lovable one, Right?

Kat0121 · Mar 4, 2017

She is gorgeous!!! Welcome to the both of you!!!

mrbreezeet1 · Mar 5, 2017

Thank you!

Can I be a emotional support animal

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