Emotional support animals (ESA) don’t have to be dogs – cats are just as capable of relieving certain mental health symptoms with their presence and companionship. If you have a beloved feline friend that you wish to register as an emotional support animal, you may be wondering about the cost and process of this. Our article tells you how much it costs to register your cat as an ESA, in addition to other important information you need to know.
Do I Need to Register My Cat as an ESA?
If you wish to take advantage of the legal protections for emotional support animals that the Fair Housing Act (FHA) provides, you will need to register your cat as an ESA. This means that you will need to meet with a mental healthcare provider licensed in your state and speak with them about your needs. Your provider will evaluate your situation and then provide you with a signed emotional support animal letter that verifies your need for an ESA.
You can show your ESA letter to ensure your support cat gets to live alongside you in any area of suitable housing and to avoid paying pet fees or additional pet rent for your cat. This letter will also permit you to have your cat in areas that typically don’t allow pets or have breed restrictions.
Keep in mind that your emotional support animal letter will typically expire after one year, and you will need to meet with your mental healthcare provider again to receive another one.
Costs for Registering Your Cat as an Emotional Support Animal
The costs for registering your cat as an emotional support animal vary, as you will need to take state laws and the costs of meeting with a therapist into account. In most states, you will need at least one meeting with a licensed mental healthcare provider to receive an ESA letter for your cat, and this can cost you anywhere between $30 and $200, depending on the therapist’s fees and your insurance.
Furthermore, some states may require that you have at least a 30-day relationship with your mental healthcare provider, and this may mean you have more than one appointment before you can receive an ESA letter for your cat.
The actual cost of an emotional support animal letter is free – you are paying to be evaluated and meet with your licensed mental healthcare provider as you work towards receiving your ESA letter.
In general, you can expect to spend between $30 and $200 to ensure your emotional support cat is valid, with average costs around $100. Always take note that very large fees for an ESA letter or templated letters that you receive without meeting with a mental healthcare provider are generally not valid ESA letters.
Can I Register My Cat as an ESA Online?
It is possible to get an emotional support animal registration for your cat online, though this should be done with care. Websites that simply offer you a templated letter in exchange for a large amount of money should be avoided, as these websites are typically scams. In almost every state, you will need to speak with a licensed mental healthcare provider, and you may even need to have an established relationship of at least thirty days with your provider before you can receive an ESA letter.
Always check the reviews of service and avoid giving out your personal details or banking information to an ESA letter service that seems less than legitimate.
What Are the Costs of Caring for My Emotional Support Cat?
In general, the costs of caring for your emotional support cat will be similar to someone who just has a cat as a pet.
You will need to provide food, toys, beds, and regular vet care for your cat in order to keep them happy and healthy while you benefit from the comfort their presence provides.
Additionally, when you have an emotional support cat, you may need to pay for regular therapy meetings or a yearly meeting with a therapist to ensure your emotional support animal letter stays valid. State laws do vary, however, so make sure you understand the specifics of the ESA letter renewal in your state.
Ensuring Your Emotional Support Cat is Valid
While your feline friend may help you throughout your day, it’s important to officially register them as an emotional support animal if you wish to take advantage of the legal protections this gives you. Your first step for ensuring your emotional support cat is valid is speaking to a therapist or mental healthcare provider licensed in your state about adding an ESA to your care plan and receiving the ESA letter you need.