ULPT Req: How can I get my cat registered as an emotional support animal?
Posted by WhiteTrashJetpack@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 13 comments
I'm moving into a new apartment on the 1st and the guy in the office said I can get the over $300 in fees waived for my cat, if my cat is an emotional support animal. How can I do that without going through a mental health professional?
molten_dragon@reddit
There are online services that will give you a letter for a fee. A lot of them are shady but it's a shady business do shrug.
Depending on how thorough your landlord is you could just try writing your own and see if he buys it.
diablodeldragoon@reddit
I tried one of those. They did a telehealth with a psychiatrist. They asked questions. One of the questions was "are you able to go to the grocery store and work?" Yes? Well if you're able to get out of the house to go to work then you don't have anxiety bad enough to need an emotional support animal. Denied.
It was stupid and a waste of time.
I just had my primary doctor write one.
molten_dragon@reddit
I mean you're already lying to the landlord, might as well lie to the shrink too.
diablodeldragoon@reddit
That's perfectly fair. I just wasn't expecting that response from them. The advertisements for the company gave the impression that they approved everyone. The dr that I got gave the impression of being a dick that thought the esa were a hoax and he wasn't having anything to do with it. If that's what he believed, I can only assume that he was working for the company specifically to prevent people from being able to get the letters.
WhiteTrashJetpack@reddit (OP)
I guess I didn't necessarily word it perfectly in my post, but the way he said it to me was basically in a "wink, wink, nod, nod" manner. Like "Hey, if you do this, I can save you money.....so you should look into it....but I'm not really telling you that."
thoughtsplurge@reddit
Ngl I just looked up an old emotional support placard then swapped my dogs information onto it using photoshop. I hate AI but I will say it’s even easier now to do that if you want to avoid paying a thing.
WhiteTrashJetpack@reddit (OP)
Yeah, he was pretty easy going. HAHA
Mediocre-Pizza-Guy@reddit
There is no official registry or certification for the animal, even though lots of places sell stuff that look official.
To get housing accommodations, you need a letter from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider. It must state that you have a recognized mental or emotional health disability, and that the animal provides therapeutic support.
There are plenty of licensed professionals who will happily give you an ESA letter. The entire thing is a racket. Dozens of sites will do it.
WhiteTrashJetpack@reddit (OP)
Got it. I'll check with my PCP. Thanks!
douglorde@reddit
Literally go online. If you are thinking you get one of these for free, you're wrong. It'll be at most 300. But your pet becomes invisible so I say it's worth it.
I've probably saved 1500+ w my one letter from 5 yrs ago. They will try to scare you into renewing it-dont. That same letter has worked each time.
douglorde@reddit
this is what I used
diablodeldragoon@reddit
I just talked to my primary doctor. It helps that they've prescribed me antidepressants in the past though. I was upfront with him and told him that I just wanted the letter to keep from paying the stupid pet fees for the rental. He said "yeah, I'm legally allowed to do that, give me 5 minutes"
WhiteTrashJetpack@reddit (OP)
I was wondering if this would work. I'm currently on depression/anxiety meds prescribed by them. I'll give them a call. Thanks!