Did you know that cats make amazing emotional support animals?

Having a pet has a lot of benefits one of which is the companionship and emotional support they provide to their owner. Cats can help you sleep better, decrease your anxiety, etc. 

Contrary to popular belief, cats can make great emotional support animals. 

In this blog post, we will go through everything that you need to know about emotional support cats to get started. 

Let’s begin!

WHAT ARE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT CATS, ANYWAY? 

Emotional Support Animals can belong to any species. So, you can register your cat as an ESA. 

To be categorized as an emotional support animal, your cat doesn’t need to have any special training. The main purpose of ESAs is to provide their owners that have a mental illness with the emotional support that allows them to lead a normal and balanced life. 

Cats make excellent emotional support animals. 

In fact, some breeds of cats are friendly, loving, and human-orientated that can provide you with all the help you need.

LEGAL RIGHTS AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT CATS 

 

TheFair Housing Act, allows Emotional Support Cats to be included as assistance animals. This means that your kitty can’t be discriminated against when you are looking to obtain housing. 

 

So, your Emotional Support Cats can legally live with you in places that have pet-size limitations, species bans or allow no pets. Also, you won’t have to pay a deposit in case you have an ESA. 

 

In addition to that, according to the Air Carrier Access Act, your Emotional Support Cat can accompany you in the aircraft’s cabin. However, do keep in mind that the airlines might require you to submit proper documentation prior to your departure. 

 

To qualify as an Emotional Support Animal, your cat must be well behaved and toilet-trained.

REGISTERING YOUR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT CAT 

To ensure that your rights are protected and that you can take your emotional support cat with you to a “no pet” housing or in the airplane with you, it is important to register your feline friend. 

• You receive an Animal ID Card with your cat’s photograph and information. This also includes legal information about your rights
• A certificate with your cat’s name that verifies its registration in the U.S. for your records
• ₦21,698.45 discount off a consultation with a licensed mental health practitioner in case you need a prescription Letter for an Emotional Support Animal which allows you to live and fly with your pet

SUMMING UP

If you have a mental illness and feel that an emotional support animal can help you feel better, you should talk to your therapist /psychologist /psychiatrist and determine whether or not getting an Emotional Support Cat will work for you.

Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments!