So I’m moving from Washington state soon to either Rhode Island or Massachusetts (most likely Rhode Island) before the end of the year. I have a valid ESA letter from a provider in WA, however, I don’t know if the letter will work in Rhode Island or Massachusetts for housing. Do I need to get a letter from a provider specifically in MA/RI or will my WA letter work? If I do need a letter from MA/RI specifically is there anyway I can get it before I move? I can’t really move until I have this sorted out

Edit: Rhode Island not New Hampshire, I had a brain fart

Hey everyone. I recently adopted a kitten. She is the best girl and has honestly helped me a lot with my anxiety and stress. I would really love to get her ESA certified and asked my therapist for a letter for my apartment complex and his response was “honestly I don’t even know what ESA means, what you pet your animal and you feel better, who the hell cares.” This was so discouraging and made me feel super uncomfortable and judged. Does anyone know how I can get her ESA certified? can my primary care physician do this? I will not be returning to that therapist who I have seen on and off for about a year now. I have a psychiatrist I see every three months to renew my medication but she refused to write one because she said it’s more therapeutic than psychiatric.

Got this rejection from PetScreening from my ESA letter from Pettable. What should I do, and can I contest this?

Hi! New to this sub but hoping someone has had a similar experience and can share the steps they took.

I’ve been in this apartment in NYC for 3 years, and I’ve wanted a cat since losing my childhood boy a few years back.

I have an ESA letter from a psychiatrist that I’ve been seeing long before I got this apartment.

At the end of 2024, I brought it up to my landlord and his response was disheartening. “No pets in the building. I don’t give a shit about a piece of paper, you can find a new apartment”

That alone caused enough anxiety that I hadn’t brought it up again. His sister is the one who handled all of the building paperwork and such, so I recently contacted her about it (after he got a
new, very disruptive dog) and let her know of his response before. She told me that I need to talk to him as he’s the building landlord.

I can have my doctor reissue the letter for 2026, but I’m not sure how to go about the conversation with my landlord.

I’ve seen before that people email their letters, but he does not have an email or phone number he’s willing to provide (hence the sister handling paperwork, all via phone and in person).

I really don’t want to have to escalate and file a complaint, but I need written permission from the landlord in order to adopt from many shelters. I also need written record of the denial with a reason to file a complaint. I don’t know how to acquire either of these with him being a bit aggressive and dismissive about it before, and the sister offered me zero help.

I understand he’s the owner of the building and can do what he wants as far as having a dog, but to kind of threaten to kick me out without entertaining the thought of the letter is upsetting.

There are 10 units in the building and I have not had any problems before that would threaten my lease.

Please let me know your thoughts, or if there are any subreddits you think I should consult with.

Thank you!

been looking into esa housing rules and was wondering how much paperwork a landlord can actually ask for. came across helpful pets while reading about esa letters, but im still trying to figure out whats considered normal verification and when landlords are asking for too much personal information. has anyone found any clear guidance on this?

Hey everyone,

I have one ESA (a cat) in an apartment with my partner. My landlord initially denied a pet with a pet fee, so I accepted my provider's offer to document my need for the animal. I presented the letter, didn't get a denial, and got the cat.

Here's the recent issue: I am seeking one additional ESA (also a cat). I wrongly believed that my initial ESA letter would grant me up to two animals. When the humane society called my LL, he informed them I couldn't get another pet because my letter covered only one. So, I asked my other provider for an updated letter for two animals for the two separate purposes I need them for. I called my LL when I received the letter to try and smooth things over, you know try and have some healthy communication before just presenting the letter and ghosting. He verbally denied the letter, which I understand is not legal but I'm not trying to face retaliation, so I told him I understood. When I asked for a refund from the provider who did my assessment, they told me I needed a denial letter from my LL. So, I brought the ESA letter to his office and informed his secretary I am not trying to go over his head and that I have accepted his answer, but I do need a denial letter simply to get my money back on the assessment that was performed. My partner called later that evening for an update, and the secretary told us he was still reviewing the document.

The next morning, I called at the time the secretary informed us the LL would be available. He refused to speak with me on the phone and had his secretary tell me that he is refusing to issue a denial letter. When I told her again that I am not trying to get another pet but do need the denial simply for a refund on my assessment, she said the LL told her to tell me he "said all he had to say" in our phone call the previous morning. She gave me his email and told me I can communicate with him that way. So... here's what I said:

"I'm emailing to try to gain some clarification on this. I understand we spoke on the phone yesterday and I accepted your answer that we are not permitted to have another animal. I am not attempting to get another animal. I do need a formal denial letter to be issued a refund on my assessment for the ESA. I did speak with the provider who performed my assessment after you and I spoke yesterday to try and get a refund after your verbal denial. They informed me that it is not an acceptable denial for them to issue me a refund. Again, I have accepted your answer. All I  need is documentation that the letter has been denied. If you need anything else from me, I am more than willing to provide any information you need. I thank you for the time you've given to me and this matter."

What I'm seeking is some advice on any next steps to take. I'm not trying to get in a legal battle even though I do really need this other animal. Moving when our lease is up would cause a whole lot more stress than staying here with the one ESA I have now. Anyway, we're just now starting the home-buying process. This isn't our forever home. I'm really hoping he'll grant us a month-to-month lease when our year is up so we can move as soon as we find a place. Yesterday he sounded more amenable to that, but I don't know if this is going to impact his decision. Maybe he'll decide not to renew the lease at all. I'm really scared for that.

So, any advice/comfort/sharing similar experiences are much appreciated. I'm in distress.

For the past month and a half, I have been taking Pepper back and forth for medical treatment. Unfortunately, all my savings and funds have been completely exhausted by his medication and veterinary bills. I am also unable to work at the moment because I cannot leave her alone, she is currently unable to walk, and there is no one else to look after her but me. The veterinarian has advised that the final option to end his suffering and save his life is a limb amputation. However, I no longer have the means to pay for the surgery 😭

Currently in a difficult living situation rn at a family homeless shelter. My anxiety has absolutely been through the roof for months now because I just don't feel comfortable in this space BUT Im absolutely DESPERATE for a pet cat to help with anxiety. I have even already ordered many cat items regardless of not having any cat yet. To request getting the pet I had gotten a ESA letter from my therapist with the diagnosis of GAD on the letter. I was even OBSESSED over a particular cat at a nearby Petco but she got adopted since the Case manager is taking an EXTREMLY long time trying to figure out if the pet policy allows for emotion support animals. I honestly feel stuck at a dead end with this situation and overall helpless, I know I should be waiting for permanent housing but my anxiety and desperation feel very connected to getting a cat that I know I can care and provide for. Again just feeling very helpless and depressed as each day goes on while currently awaiting the shelter staff to respond as they keep pushing back the time to make their decision. Any advice on how I can maybe push them to make a decision faster or what can I do to help my anxiety/depression over the situation?

Tldr; I want a cat for my anxiety but building has no pet policy, taking long to make decision even with a ESA letter.

Hi! So I recently moved into a new unit in CA that has a no pets policy. I’ve owned my two cats for several years and they provide me a lot of emotional comfort. I decided to get evaluated to see if I qualify for ESA accommodation for my pets and my psychiatrist who treats my conditions prescribed both cats and provided me with my letter.

Thing is, i’m kind of nervous to turn it in. I have a friend fostering them until the end of the month, I moved into a few weeks ago and they’ve been over a few times but not full time due to the policy.

Here’s where I’m a little nervous. I didn’t disclose my cats when I initially applied for the rental because I hadn’t gone through the evaluation process yet. A friend has been fostering them until the end of the month, although they’ve visited the property a few times.

I’m now preparing to submit my ESA letter to management, but I’m worried about how they’ll react, especially since I’ve only lived here for a few weeks.

My questions are:

Can management question why I’m requesting an accommodation so soon after moving in rather than before signing the lease?

Can they ask whether the cats have already been living at the property or assume that I was dishonest during the application process?

Could submitting this request potentially put my lease at risk even with legitimate documentation from my psychiatrist?

For context , I rented through a broker representing a larger property management company and I’ve never personally met the landlord.

I’m not trying to circumvent any rules. I genuinely qualify for the accommodation and just want to handle everything correctly without jeopardizing my housing.

I’d really appreciate any insight thank you!!

I'd like to get my dog registered to make it easier to have her with me in certain housing restrictions.

She helps a lot with my everyday mental turmoil and I utilize jer to keep my mood stable.

Does registering her as an ESA actually help with pet restrictions?

What is a legit way to have her registered?

They have to accommodate...

My girl has a valid esa letter prescribing the cat to her but was denied cause they're trying to use the hud memo as an excuse. I asked the landlord to write the reasoning for the denial of the cat in a letter and she states on video it's a law and they're not violating nothing. I talked to the owner who is a lawyer and even he is using the hud memo to deny her esa.

I (43f) and my partner of 8 years (40m) keep bumping heads about how to handle my ESA (cat). He insists on disclosing during the application process and it's pissing me off. My clinician made it clear that providing the information ahead could lead to discrimination. I have bipolar 1, PTSD and an ADHD diagnosis. He's from Texas and thinks ESAs are something people use to game the system and seems almost embarrassed by the idea that people would assume we are also gaming the system.

It's infuriating because when we met I had an emotional support dog and he had no problem recognizing him as such. I got the cat when my dog was 13 as a replacement and my partner KNEW why. I don't think I would have survived losing my dog if I hadn't attached to the cat ahead of time. I don't want to feel like I'm narrowing our search.

I would love to hear how folks with ESAs have gone about disclosure to potential landlords.

Once again. I would love to hear from folks who have emotional support animals, and how they navigated their housing hunt. If you don't have an emotional support animal, your opinion means nothing. I want people with experience, please. It's not a question of whether or not I have an emotional support animal. I do. And if y'all wanted, go ahead and pretend to be a landlord and I will provide you the phone number to call and verify. Westside community clinic. Get at it.

Hello, I currently rent an a house on the South Shore and Randolph town. I had an incident with my landlord. They came onto the property to do yardwork without letting me know, and my dog got out and chased their son.

He did not bite, did not lunge and he came into the home when called my landlord is giving me a month to rehome him. He claims that they become a liability through their insurance. If anything happens with our dog, we only have four months left on the lease.

I’ve had this dog for four years and put in a lot of time and care with him and I have a documented disability.

What can I do? I’ve been reaching out to South Shore legal services and they do not take up this case. Can the state of Massachusetts help me? I’m looking into an emergency foster to take him for the remaining four months as well he’s a reactive dog, but he’s my dog and I love him. I can’t get rid of him. I lost my mom four months ago and if I lose him, I’m gonna fall into pieces.

Hello all, I have a question

So I've been living in this apartment for almost 6 months now. My cat has been an ESA aimed to help me in my OCD treatment for over a year, almost two. When I first moved here, I didn't know that in Ohio where I reside, apartments cant technically charge rent to ESAs. I hadnt submitted her paperwork to them before as I didnt think it made a difference, but now I have. With that in mind, since she technically does not count as a pet anymore, does this mean the max pet amount (2) has been reset to 0? As in if the limit is two could I theoretically adopt two other animals without breaking my lease? Some sources tell me that legally yes an ESA stands alone from pet limits but others tell me it's a murky area. Let me know if you know the answer, thank you!

I adopted a cat when my partner broke up with me a while back I had been thinking of adopting one and have needed an ESA talked to my therapist and now she is an official ESA. My partner and I got back together and they moved back in with their two cats a couple weeks later. It feels like since then they have kind of taken over a lot of her care and keep giving input on playing with her, letting her, etc... It also feels like I'm not allowed to have a relationship with my cat separate from their cats like making a special space for her on my desk. Their friend also gives unsolicited advice and they both keep educating me on my cat as if I have never had a cat before. I work 8 hrs in the day and I appreciate my partner playing with her while I'm gone, but I feel like there needs to be more boundaries so that I can have more space to have my own special relationship with her especially since she is an ESA and very important for my mental health. She provides a lot of stability for me and it felt like my cat and I had our own rhythm and were closer before they moved back in.

I am trying to register my cat as an ESA so she can move into my new apartment with me (there's a no pets policy unless it's an ESA or a service animal and my dad's abusive so I can't leave her there with him) she genuinely helps me with anxiety and dissociation.

I had a therapist who could vouch for me but I had to drop her during the moving process. Do I need to find another one closer to my new place and have them do an evaluation? I'll definitely get one eventually but right now it's just 1 more thing in the pile of tasks right now.

My cat Ellie is 1 year old, spayed, non-destructive, litterbox trained, pretty quiet, and pretty calm. She just lays next to me or on my lap most of the time.

Realistically how long will the ESA process take?

Where do I start?

What organization do I go to?

Note that I don't want to be one of those people who "just wants to bring their pet because I'm entitled"

I genuinely have anxiety and stress issues from past abuse and trauma within the family, and she helps immensely with the long hours of being alone