Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) can be vital to people suffering from emotional disorders or mental health problems. Many people might be in need of more than one ESA animal in order to function on a daily basis. This can lead to trouble in many situations since the law around the number of ESA animals allowed per person isn’t always clear. Keep reading to learn more about just how many ESA animals you can have under the current regulations.
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What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
Emotional Support Animals are animal companions, usually cats or dogs, who provide emotional support. If you’ve ever owned a pet, you know how soothing it can be to have an animal for comfort. These ESA animals are used to help people who suffer from anxiety, social disorders, depression, and other mental health issues. Not any animal can be an ESA. In order to register an ESA, you need a letter from a health professional indicating the legitimate need for such an animal for an existing condition or disorder.
The Law Around ESAs
In some cases, Emotional Support Animals are protected under the law which can be beneficial for those suffering from these conditions or emotional disorders. Like service animals, most Emotional Support Animals are protected under the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. The Fair Housing Act means that, in general, property owners cannot discriminate against anyone with an ESA or service animal. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, service animals and ESAs are allowed to travel on airplanes under the supervision of their owners.
While service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this coverage is not extended to ESAs. That means businesses can prevent Emotional Support Animals from entering their businesses. This can lead to a lot of confusion between laws surrounding both service animals and ESAs.
What is the Limit on Number of ESAs?
So, what exactly is the limit on the number of ESA’s a person can have? There is no clear limit, in most circumstances. Under the Air Carrier Access Act, there might be different animal regulations depending on the airline. In general, it is best to speak to the airline before travel to ask about their unique policy. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are supposed to modify policies to include ESAs. If there are two or more ESAs, the landlord and the tenant will need to find an agreement that works for both parties.
When deciding on the right number of ESA animals for you, it’s best to consider the animals first. If you’re living in a small room with several animals, this is not good news for the animals welfare and living conditions. Also, there are costs associated with owning more animals that could make it less reasonable.
The best way to determine the right number of ESA animals for you is to speak to a medical professional. They will be able to recommend the best ESA solution to suit your particular needs. Visit https://therapypet.org/blog/how-many-esas-can-you-have/ to learn more about the number of ESAs you can have as well as how to register your pet as an Emotional Support Animal.
Feel Confident with Your ESA
Emotional Support Animals make a world of difference for people suffering from certain conditions or mental health problems. If you think an ESA is right for you, speak to your healthcare provider about your options. Pets can be a great source of support, and you should feel confident in having your support animal with you when needed.
