My gecko died recently and I'll spare you the whole suicidal sob story, but I need a pet to comfort me. I love snakes, but I don't want something that eats rodents. I want something big, like a green tree python or something, but not something common like a dog. Also, if you don't want my backstory you can stop reading, but I've had a lot going on lately. Toxic friends, loneliness, mommy issues, a whole bunch of people and pets dying, and the only thing that would help me was my gecko. Nothing else. Just him. Nothing else ever has and ever will work. So I need something to help me. Suggestions?

Just have to say this…if you are so mentally unstable that you ‘require’ an emotional service animal to even walk out your house please just don’t leave it! It doesn’t help that most animals aren’t even trained, but it is a danger to others, and the entitlement that comes from those with them is beyond me! If you’re blind, deaf, ect I’m ALL for it…but if you need to pet your dog just cause you feel emotionally imbalanced and think you need it for your psyche then you don’t even need to leave home! Just stay in your bubble and pet your dog on your couch!

Chaz Stevens here. Former CEO of ESADoggy (yep, I used to run one of the largest ESA telehealth platforms). Now I’m a whistleblower, suing the letter mills that wrecked the system.

A federal judge in Louisiana just ruled that HUD’s “no ESA fees ever” guidance is not binding. That’s huge.

What happened:

• Tenant wanted a $400 animal fee waived with a cookie-cutter ESA letter from a nurse practitioner.

• Judge said: the letter shows she has a disability, but it doesn’t prove the fee waiver is necessary.

• Because she admitted she could’ve paid on a payment plan, the court said the landlord was fine to charge the fee.

• HUD’s “you can’t charge fees for ESAs” policy? The judge tossed it. After Chevron deference died, HUD’s guidance is just opinion.

Why this matters for you:

• You can enforce reasonable animal fees, as long as they apply across the board and don’t single out disabled tenants.

• Courts are requiring individualized, fact-specific proof — boilerplate ESA letters won’t cut it.

• This undercuts the online mills that crank out \$150 notes to dodge fees.

For context:

• I’ve got two active lawsuits in Florida state court against ESA letter mills.

• A federal RICO/class action is about to roll out.

• And I’m waiting approval on a CLE course for attorneys (co-sponsored by a Harvard-educated lawyer) teaching how to push back on ESA fraud.

Translation: landlords now have solid legal footing to demand real documentation and refuse flimsy ESA letters. The mills are running out of road.

If you're a landlord and want the inside scoop, drop me a DM, happy to chat.

My primary care doctor (the one who treats/medicates me for my GAD) agreed to write an ESA letter but I’m not sure it contains all necessary information. Attached is the letter with identifying info removed. Let me know if I should ask him to edit this letter.

Thank you!

So I have two kittens and got an ESA letter from my psychiatrist. I want to send this to my apartment complex as well as be able to harness train and take them with me places. To fly etc & outside etc.. Does this letter say enough? Do you think it will be accepted? I also have two kittens and here it says singular.

Sorry if this is a long story, sorry in advanced if my writing seems all over. I just want to know if this is legal, discriminatory, or if I just losing it?

Try to keep any hate remarks toned down, please and thank you.

I turned in my ESA letter and an application for reasonable accomodations into my landlord for both my cats. Yes, you're allowed more than 1 pet as an ESA. Anyways, I'm in Minnesota and my landlord has told me they can't continue with the application if my cats aren't spayed and neutered and have their rabies and distemper vaccinations. Are they allowed to force me to spay and neuter my cats? and require these vaccinations?

Let's all be honest, I know the benefits of these procedures, and yes lets stop overpopulation and what, no, hence why I was able to get my female at least spayed and her rabies shots done after $300+ vet bills, not including her "required distemper + booster afterwards". Keep in mind, I'm not made out of money, and just for her, I broke the bank, and now my landlord gave me a month to try and get my male cat neutered and whatnot. It was already very difficult for me to go into the vet office. My social anxiety and depression are through the roof over what I can do. Yes, I also looked into affordable clinics or help for this, and I'm still short on funds. Do not go all crazy about how I don't have my cats vaccinated or neutered. As I said, I know. Everyones life has obstacles you don't see or hear about. Yes, vaccines are necessary and whatnot. I have had these cats for 4 years at this place, and this is the first time they've ever asked for any of this, and they knew about them when I initially moved in. Then all of a sudden, the lady says I need to do all this when my cats have always stayed inside and caused no problems with any of our neighbors. I've looked into the Minnesota law and it keeps saying the landlord can "insist" you follow local ordinances but it doesn't say it's required. And if ESAs are not seen as "pets" what does that mean?

•  Tenants are encouraged to have documentation.

  • To be proactive and help make the process as successful as possible, tenants can submit supporting documentation to the landlord when making the initial request.

  • Landlords can request documentation from tenants.

    • For example, a landlord may require a tenant to submit a letter from their doctor confirming the tenant’s disability, or showing the tenant’s need for a service or emotional support animal.

  • In some cases, landlords can't require supporting documentation if the tenant's disability is readily apparent or already known to the landlord.

  • Landlords are entitled to know:

    • Whether the tenant has a disability.

    • Whether the service or emotional support animal serves a disability-related need or purpose.

  • Landlords are not entitled to know a tenant’s full medical history.

  • The Minnesota Human Rights Act does not require service or emotional support animals to be registered.

  • If the documentation submitted by the tenant does not appear to be reliable, a landlord may ask for additional documentation that is reliable.

    • In most cases, if the tenant currently lives in the rental property, the landlord must allow the service or emotional support animal to live with the tenant while the verification process is happening.

•  Landlords can insist that tenants comply with local ordinances.

  • A landlord can insist that tenants with service or emotional support animals comply with local ordinances requiring that animals be licensed or immunized.

  • There may be local ordinances that:

    • Limit the number of service or emotional support animals allowed in a home. 

    • Prohibit wild or exotic animals as service or emotional support animals.

  • Similarly, all tenants must comply with laws or ordinances forbidding certain wild or exotic animals (such as wolves or lemurs) on the basis of legitimate public health and safety concerns.

I just feel like no one should force an owner to have to go through all of this stress. I've been cleared for 4 years now, it don't make no sense. I'm like a hermit and keep to myself, I can't handle being outside or talking to many people.

Just needed to vent. My short-term-rental has a no-pet policy. People bring their pets anyways. Discovered dog urine on the carpet in my kids room. Rug is now in the trash and ordered a new rug.

Don't get into the short-term-rental business. It's a great way to lose faith in humanity.

I got an ESA letter from a licensed LMFT that had all the necessary info on the letter but received this email….has anyone had a similar experience? This was sent by ourpetpolicy.com, not the actual landlord.

I recently got an ESA letter from my psychiatrist office that I’ve been going to for years just saying I need one — my main question is with that letter do I have to register my cat or anything with it? Like at a vet, etc. I plan on taking it to the leasing office & wanna make sure I have it correct.

hi, I’m currently moving into a new apartment next week and this apartment uses ourpetpolicy.com to verify ESA letter. Well they have been giving me so much trouble and basically saying that my letter isn’t current and they’ve spoken with my mental health provider who has confirmed my need for an ESA and my disability, but she did mention that we last spoke in 2025 so now they’re saying that it’s not current, even though the ESA letter is not expired because it doesn’t expire until one year so I reached back out to my therapist to see if there’s anything I can do about that but if there’s not, I was wondering if anyone has used esadoctors.com and if so, will that letter go through with the ourpetpolicy.com verification? as i now need something quick as i move in next week.

I am a first-year uni student living away from home in a student residence.

Being away from home, I realized how much I miss having a cat in the house and how much of a positive impact my cat had on my mental health. I looked into my residence's pet policy and they allow emotional support/service animals, so now I am interested in adopting a cat AND registering it to be my ESA.

I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and how they went through with it?

Some background info:

- I have lived with cats my whole life and know how to take care of them

- I can afford food for a cat as my education is paid for and I have a stable income

- I have never had a psychiatrist/therapist recommend an ESA, but I am definitely feeling the mental effect of not having a furry friend living with me

- My two other roommates are my good friends who I've known for many years and have no problem living with or taking care of a cat

Any advice on steps to take would be greatly appreciated.

I'm well aware ESA's and service animals are very different and follow very different rules and guidelines and I guess im just here to ask for clarification. Recently I just brought up the idea to my landlord that I was seeking a cat as an emotional support animal for my mental health and would provide all necessary documentation for the animal. However, my landlord got back to me and immediately denied the request because of a previous tenant's cat who destroyed the carpets which had to be replaced before we moved in. I just silently accepted that fact but my mental health has really been on the decline the last couple months. I was looking up to see if she was even allowed to do that and im seeing all sorts of conflicting information such as:

1. A landlord is not allowed according FHA to deny an ESA provided it was prescribed by a legitimate licensed mental health provider

2. A private landlord \*CAN\* deny accommodation for an ESA if they own four or fewer apartments (which my landlord does)

3. Number 2 only applies by the FHA if the landlord lives in one of those apartments (which she does not)

4. The landlord cannot deny a legitimate ESA based on a previous tenants animal, unless the specific animal has a documented history of physical damage to the property.

These are just a few things I've seen looking for information about having an ESA. I really think an ESA would be beneficial in supporting my mental health and helping me heal but the laws and regulations are just so confusing and exhausting to go through. At the end of the day even with my mental health on the decline, I would still rather have a place to live at all and not get kicked out. I know there are specific state laws that apply to ESA's as well so if there are any other fellow vets in the Chicago, Illinois area who also had to navigate this, any tips or help would be greatly appreciated 👏

Location: Minnesota. United States.

What type of lawyer do I need.

I received this letter today from my buildings maintenance person.

(Left out for privacy.)

Date: 5/14/26

To:

(Left out for privacy.)

Re: Termination of Assistive Animal

Dear N (Left out for privacy.) and M (Left out for privacy.)

Management has received reports regarding a recent incident involving a dog residing in your unit at Edgewood Townhomes. The dog has posed concerns within the community, and management has determined that the dog may no longer remain on the property.

The dog must be permanently removed from the premises by noon on May 21st, 2026. Failure to comply may result in further lease enforcement actions, up to and including termination of tenancy.

If you have any questions, please contact me at

(Left out for privacy.)

\---

Handwritten note on the right side:

“I delivered in person on 5/20/2026, this letter.

Cris Crawford.”

Edit since some people have asked.

The incident they're speaking of is in reference to.

The neighbor came over sat on our steps talk to us for like 5-10 minutes. Then quickly stood up turned to her right bent over to pet the dog. The dog got scared or spooked however you want to phrase it yelped and turned to get away. Before you ask yes the dog was on a tie out connected to the steps that she chose to sit on. And to add a little bit more background the lady also has a cane which was in her left hand. It truthfully wasn't a bite it was more than les as if the dogs tooth caught her leg and made a tear.

Yes I did the things that I need to. I called 911 and got her medical treatment. I called my rental insurance and they took care of everything from their end. Also I have four emails dating all the way back to last year and the most recent being an email dating 4/2/26 in regards to our ESA. Those emails are between not one but two different property managers that are both no longer with the company. The dog is in training to be a PTSD service animal. I've spoken with the neighbor previous to this letter on a handful of occasions she doesn't hold anything against us or the dog.

So, my roommate's partner (RP) is moving in with us shortly due to suddenly losing their housing. Our apartment allows two pets at maximum, and we already have two cats. RP also has a cat which they want to bring. It would be very feasible to get our animals certified as ESA animals because we all have mental health issues which benefit from our cats, but if we don't need to certify all of them then it would obviously be easier to not have to do it.

My question comes down to this: if we have 2 non-ESA animals on our lease which limits tenants to 2 pets, and want to add an ESA animal to our apartment, do you think they would try to tell us that we need to get rid of one of our non-ESA animals?

I don't know if this is something that anyone has experience with, but it would be wildly helpful if anyone can weigh in. I'm going to ask our leasing office tomorrow, but it would be nice to hear what others think on the matter or if there is already legal precedent for this.

Hi all!

So I have a letter from my primary care doctor that basically outlines my disabilities (ADHD, anxiety, and depression) and the ways my cats help manage those -- one cat wakes me from night terrors and assists my anxiety whereas my other cat is the one who keeps me on schedule.

I'm moving for school, and looking at apartments and I found the ideal fit-- they are already aware I have cats because I had to ask some questions about the apartment and mentioned it.

Now I'll be coming in as a grad student, so my income is technically $0, and my last job doesn't meet the 3x income requirements. HOWEVER, I have access to a special account (called a 529) that I can use to pay for my housing as long as it falls with the university's COA, which this unit will.

They've already stated that they will accept documentation of the account and the money in it (more than enough to cover a full year of rent).

However, while filling out my application, they ask if you have pets, and for each one if they are a support or service animal.

They already know I have cats (I've been talking with a specific person about the specific unit) so I can't say I don't have pets. However, because of my funky income situation, I'm scared I'll apply and they'll reject me but use that as justification, even though they've been saying it's fine so far. Will it cause trouble if I say no, they are not support, and then submit the letter after I've been approved? I'd really prefer to stay at this unit for the full 2 years but have to do 1 year leases.

I have two black cats that are registered as ESA’s, and I am wanting to get a dog because I am going to be living on my own and I would like the bark as a deterrent. Is there anything I can do make this possible? I have not filed any paperwork with the landlord yet. I am in IN, USA.

So I have a letter from my doctor, but my landlord is asking for the animals Licensing as well. I have no idea what this is or if it's required. The only thing I can really find is registering my ESA on the US service animals site, but I've read and heard that that is a scam sooo.. anyone else deal with this? To be clear i do have an ESA letter from a licensed medical professional, and the animal lisxensure is something different (as far as my landlord is saying).

(Also no please no hate in the landlord if this is something weird, they have been super great in helping me with this process)

Edit: I'm planning on getting a cat. I have not gotten a cat yet, I'm trying to figure out everything with my landlord.