Emotional support animals are the perfect pets because they offer comfort and support, and can even live with you in otherwise not pet-friendly housing.
While it’s common knowledge that you can have one emotional support animal, have you ever pondered the question – How many emotional support animals can I have?
If so, you’ve come to the right place because in this article, we answer that question and much more. Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal, also known as an ESA, is an animal that provides emotional support for their human handler. This support comes from their presence, touch, or show of affection, which is a boon for people who are dealing with mental health disorders. While emotional support animals provide support for their human companions, that doesn’t mean they’re the same thing as a service animal, and understanding the difference is important.
Emotional support animals don’t require any training and can be any type of animal, which is the main difference. They also receive protection under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which allows them to live in apartments that have no-pet policies.
On the other hand, service animals can only be miniature horses and dogs, and they have to be trained to assist with a specific disability. Plus, you’ll see them out in public thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and sometimes on airlines thanks to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA); these are places ESAs can’t go without permission.
What Disabilities Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal?
Before you consider getting two or even three emotional support animals, it’s important to know what disabilities qualify. The most common disabilities that qualify for an ESA include:
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Panic disorders
These are only a handful of mental health issues that qualify for an ESA, so make sure you speak with a licensed mental health professional to see if you qualify.
How Many Emotional Support Animals Can You Have?
There is no written rule about how many emotional support animals you can have. Instead, it comes down to how many emotional support animals your licensed mental health professional thinks you need. What’s more, you also have to consider the space you’ll be living in.
If it’s a small studio or a small one-bedroom apartment, you may only be able to have one ESA if you want a big dog. On the other hand, you may have a better chance with two or three cats. Therefore, it makes sense to evaluate your living situation first because landlords can evict you if your ESAs are too noisy, damage property, or cause financial burdens.
Do You Need an ESA Letter for Every ESA?
No, you don’t need an ESA letter for every ESA. Instead, you just need one letter that covers your need for both ESAs. The letter will have to clearly state that you need both animals for your condition, and it should explain how they can help. This letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional, or it won’t hold up if a landlord wants to investigate.
How to Get an Emotional Support Animal
While you can have as many ESAs as you want (within reason), you have to go through the process of getting one. The good news is that the process is simple, especially if you have a therapist already. Simply have your therapist write a recommendation for an ESA and adopt the appropriate animal for your situation. If you need more than one, check to see if your therapist agrees.
If you don’t have a licensed mental health professional to work with, don’t panic because you can also work with online platforms that connect you with licensed mental health professionals in your state. You can submit information about yourself and your pet, schedule a phone call, and then wait for approval.
Live Comfortably With All the ESAs You Need
At the end of the day, there’s no written rule on the number of emotional support animals you can have, but that doesn’t mean you should have 50 cats in a studio apartment. Make sure you evaluate your living situation and carefully consider the ESAs you want to pair together. For example, pairing a cat and a mouse might not be the best idea.
Overall, check with your licensed mental health professional before getting started for the best results; they’ll offer you the best guidance and have the final say in how many ESAs you can have.