Cats are popular family pets, and it’s no surprise why: They’re intelligent, affectionate, and liven up any home with their adorable purrs and paws. They’re also often attuned to their owners’ emotions and can provide immeasurable comfort.
If you’re the proud owner of a feline, you may be curious to know whether they can become a legitimate service animal. We’ll delve further into this today and also discuss exactly what service animals are and the laws and regulations involved.
What Is a Service Animal?
A service animal is a working animal that has been trained to perform tasks that ease symptoms of a disability. For example, a service animal may be trained to alert a deaf person to certain noises or to guide a blind individual around obstacles in public.
A service animal can also assist with mental and emotional disabilities by performing tasks such as deep pressure therapy, medication retrieval, and balance support.
Service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as several other federal and state laws. In all states, they are granted public access rights, reasonable accommodation in the workplace, and exemption from a landlord’s pet policies and fees.
They are also legally allowed to fly with their owners without being subjected to typical pet regulations and restrictions (such as weight limits).
Can I Get a Service Cat?
Unfortunately, the ADA only officially recognizes dogs and miniature horses as service animals.
Under the ADA, a service animal is legally defined as: “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”
While miniature horses aren’t mentioned in the official definition, the ADA has since revised its regulations to allow them to be considered service animals if they fulfill all the necessary requirements, such as being housebroken:
“Businesses must make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a miniature horse by an individual with a disability if the miniature horse has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability.” (source)
This means that cats can’t be legally recognized as service animals in the US. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t support people with disabilities in other ways. Cats, including every other species, can gain legal recognition as emotional support animals (ESAs).
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal also provides therapeutic relief to those with disabilities, but instead of performing trained tasks like service animals, they provide support through their companionship.
Emotional support animals aren’t recognized under the ADA because they aren’t considered working animals. However, they are protected under certain laws, including the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA grants them additional housing rights, such as exemption from a landlord’s pet fees and policies.
How Can I Make My Cat an ESA?
If you’re considering making your cat an ESA, the next step is to determine your eligibility. You can only qualify for an ESA if you have a diagnosed emotional or mental disability that is recognized in the DSM-5 manual. Additionally, your disability must hinder at least one major area of your life, such as your work or relationships with other people.
You will also need to undergo an ESA assessment with a licensed mental healthcare professional (LMHP). During the assessment, the LMHP will ask you several questions about your disability, day-to-day challenges, and current living situation. You should also discuss why you feel making your cat an ESA would be beneficial for your emotional well-being.
If the LMHP determines that you’re eligible for an ESA, they will provide you with an official emotional support animal letter. The letter is valid for use immediately and states that you have a recognized disability, and that an ESA has been prescribed as part of your treatment plan.
Get an ESA Letter Today
Obtaining an emotional support animal letter can be difficult and time-consuming, especially if you’re not sure where to start. That’s where the legal experts at US Service Animals can help. They can assist with every aspect of the process, from helping you determine your eligibility to arranging your ESA letter assessment appointment.
You can contact US Service Animals via phone, live chat, post, or email. Alternatively, you can arrange the ESA letter process yourself by getting in touch with a mental healthcare professional who is licensed to practice in your area.
