Do Breed Restrictions Apply to an ESA? Why Your New Animal Friend Might Not Be Paw-Blematic

Finding that one emotional support animal (ESA) can make all the difference for a lot of people with mental health challenges, especially when they’re not having the best day.

Whether it’s an extra-fluffy Persian cat, an adorable silkie chicken, or a huggable Huacaya alpaca, your best friend deserves a loving home regardless of their size or species. But do breed restrictions apply to an ESA like they do to pets?

That’s exactly what we’re going to answer in this guide. We’ll cover whether landlords can really enforce animal breed restrictions, if this applies to ESAs, and how these rules affect you as an ESA owner.

Navigating Breed Restrictions & ESA Rental Laws

Many landlords impose breed restrictions on pets to stop tenants from bringing a particular breed of animal to their property. They may come up with these rules for various reasons, but most of them do it to:

1. Prevent property damage: Some animal breeds are known to be playfully mischievous, chewing and scratching on anything in their way. Landlords can’t know in advance if a particular animal will be a well-behaved angel or a furry nightmare, so they may ban more active breeds altogether
2. Avoid dangerous situations: Not all animal breeds can be trained, and some are naturally more aggressive. This can put other tenants in danger, so some landlords choose to stop potentially not-so-great scenarios like attacks on tenants before they happen
3. Minimize financial burden: Many breeds aren’t supported by homeowner insurance companies, particularly when it comes to dogs. In case of unruly pet behavior, this can create a greater financial risk that some property managers just don’t want to take

A property’s “breed restrictions” list typically includes dog breeds like German Shepherds, Pitbulls, or Dobermans. Some property managers may generalize these animals within typical pet policies and even set restrictions on ESAs, making it difficult for people who rely on ESAs to rent a place.

Can a Landlord Deny My ESA Because of Breed?

Despite what some landlords may prefer, ESA rental laws under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) clearly state that no housing providers can prohibit any specific animal breed if they’re confirmed to act as an emotional support animal. 

Apart from covering commonly disputed dog breeds, the FHA’s protections can save the day even for unconventional pets. In fact, federal and district courts have ruled in favor of more unusual ESAs like chickens or emus, allowing their owners to keep them at home despite raising some eyebrows.

That’s because federal law requires landlords to arrange reasonable accommodations for people with ESAs, even if the apartment has a strict no-pets policy. This includes waiving breed restrictions or specific emotional support animal weight limits for larger breeds. 

Additionally, the law prohibits landlords from charging you:

• Pet-related fees
• Any extra deposits
• Pet rent

But to enjoy these perks, you need to make sure your BFF is legally recognized as an ESA—and for this to happen, you’ll need an ESA letter. This letter officially states that your little (or big) buddy isn’t a pet, but a support animal that plays an important role in helping you overcome your current health issue(s).

Getting an Emotional Support Animal Letter 

Now that you know your landlord can’t deny your BFF no matter their breed, here’s what you need to do to seal the deal: 

1. Find a licensed mental health professional (LMHP)
2. Get evaluated
3. Receive your ESA letter

Find a Licensed Mental Health Professional

To get an ESA in the first place, you’ll need a recommendation from an LMHP. You can start by talking to your current healthcare provider and checking if they think you qualify for ESA treatment.

If your therapist isn’t available or able to help you, try meeting other nearby LMHP professionals, such as:

• Psychiatrists
• Primary care physicians
• Nurse practitioners
• Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs)
• Psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHNs)
• Psychologists
• Counselors

As long as they have the right credentials, you can choose any LMHP you want, but what’s important is that they’re licensed to practice in the state you’re applying for housing in. That’s because states have their own ESA laws in addition to the FHA guidelines, and your letter needs to be fully compliant with all regulations to be valid.

For example, states like California or Iowa require an existing patient-provider relationship of at least 30 days before your LMHP can write you an ESA letter. We hear you, this can be a drag (especially if you’re facing pressure because of your ESA’s breed and need the letter ASAP). But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Get Examined

When you pick out your LMHP and book a consultation, they’ll examine you to identify your mental health symptoms and check if they match any of the conditions outlined in the DSM-5-TR (the gold standard for mental health professionals across the country).

When it comes to ESA treatment, commonly qualifying conditions include: 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Personality disorders
• Chronic stress 
• Depression
• Schizophrenia

Receive Your ESA Letter

If your LMHP diagnoses you with a qualifying health issue and agrees that ESA treatment is the way to go, they’ll issue you an ESA letter. You can then show it to your landlord to end any disagreements about your ESA’s breed (and save some money on those pesky pet fees).

Just make sure your letter contains all the details that make it valid, such as your healthcare professional’s:

• Name 
• State license number
• Signature 
• Contact number
• National Provider Identification (NPI) number 

Plus, the letter itself should come on the LMHP’s official letterhead, specifically address you, and mention how your emotional support animal is a part of your treatment. 

Landlords are allowed to verify your ESA letter before granting you any perks, so it’s best to double-check that all the required details are there before submitting your documentation. If any of these are missing, your landlord can legally reject your letter and deny your buddy housing. Even worse, presenting an invalid letter can result in eviction or damage your rental record, harming your chances of getting the housing you want in the future.

How To Get an ESA Letter Online

Booking consultations, waiting in queues, and filling out paperwork can quickly become frustrating and time-consuming. Luckily, you can bypass all the heavy lifting by getting your ESA letter online.

The whole process isn’t very different from doing the entire thing in person. The main steps remain the same; the only difference is that everything happens remotely, including payment, consultation, and letter delivery.

Here’s how the online process usually works:

Potential Challenges of the Online Process

While taking the online route is easier and more efficient, you have to make sure you don’t end up with a useless digital file. Unfortunately, the web is full of scams—here are some examples of fake ESA documentation you may come across: 

• Extremely cheap or free ESA letters: An LMHP’s time and expertise come at a cost, and any website claiming otherwise is likely a scam. In most cases, offers like these skip the consultation step entirely (and without it, the documentation holds no legal weight)
• DIY letters: You may find legitimate ESA letter templates online, but these mainly serve as a reference for LMHPs to speed up the writing process. People can’t write ESA letters for themselves, and a self-made letter from a template may be considered a forged prescription
• ESA registrations and certifications: You may find platforms that offer to “register” your ESA for free or at a small cost, or websites advertising official-looking certificates. Still, there’s no national ESA registry or certificate base, so these are completely useless

Red flags online are nothing new, but you can steer clear of them by choosing a reliable ESA provider. If you’re looking for a legally compliant, quick, and convenient service that ensures you get your ESA letter online without any risks, meet Your Service Animal.

Your Service Animal—Making ESAs of All Shapes and Sizes Official

Your Service Animal is an online platform that simplifies the process of getting an ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional. While being 100% compliant with housing laws, the service also eliminates any unnecessary delays in the process. 

This lets you and your animal friend quickly move in anywhere without hassles, regardless of how your landlord feels about your buddy’s breed. Here’s a complete breakdown of what you can expect:

Get Your Online ESA Letter Today 

Ready to live with your lovable animal friend without worrying about breed restrictions? Just complete these steps: 

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
2. Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter