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Your dog helps with your anxiety, your cat eases your depression, and together, these emotional support animals (ESAs) make your house feel like a home. But what happens when your landlord says you can only keep one?
This scenario plays out for countless Americans who rely on multiple ESAs to manage their mental health conditions. The good news? You don’t have to give up any of your beloved companions. Federal housing laws provide strong protections for ESAs, and with the right documentation, you can legally keep your entire support team together.
This guide will help you understand how the process works. We’ll explain:
- What your ESA letter for multiple animals should include
- What are some common pitfalls to avoid
- How to easily obtain a valid letter for all your pets
How Many Emotional Support Animals Can I Have?
There’s no set limit on the number of ESAs you can have. That’s because the Fair Housing Act (FHA)—the main law that protects the rights of ESA owners—doesn’t specify an animal limit. As long as your request doesn’t violate any laws and your need is verified by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), you can live with as many support animals as you need.
This flexibility is wonderful if you find comfort in an entourage of cute furry beings. Think about it—your Labrador keeps you active and social, your Ragdoll offers quiet comfort during tough times, and your African Grey parrot? Well, they’re the life of the party.
But before you start planning your personal petting zoo, remember that while federal law doesn’t set a cap, your living situation and local housing laws might. So, it’s important to understand the nuances involved and get the right documentation to stay compliant.
Do I Need an ESA Letter for Each Animal?
Good news—you don’t need a separate letter for every paw, tail, or whisker in your emotional support crew. One ESA letter can cover all your animal buddies, as long as the LMHP issuing it (be it your therapist, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or clinical social worker) clearly mentions how each one contributes to your mental health and well-being.
Think of it like a family plan for your fluff squad—all under one official umbrella. This single letter is the only legit piece of paperwork that gives you access to FHA’s housing-related ESA benefits, including:
- Being accepted even in properties with no-pet policies
- Not having to pay pet rent or deposits
- Not having to adhere to animal size or breed restrictions
There’s also technically no limit to how many ESAs you can have per letter. Still, most LMHPs will typically cap it at 2–3 animals per letter. If you’re asking for more than that, be prepared to offer a stronger justification—after all, it’s rare (though not impossible) for someone to genuinely need an entire mini-zoo for therapeutic reasons.

What an ESA Letter for Multiple Animals Should Include
Your ESA letter for multiple emotional support animals can’t be a vague or general document that just lists all your furry pals with no explanation. It has to include specific details to be valid and accepted by landlords or housing providers.
Here’s what your ESA letter for multiple animals should include:
- The professional’s official letterhead and credentials—Your letter needs to contain the LMHP’s full name, National Provider Identification number, state license number, contact information, and signature
- A verification of your condition—The letter must confirm that you have a mental or emotional disability that substantially limits your daily activities
- An explicit mention of each animal—The letter must explicitly mention that you require multiple ESAs. It should also specify the number of animals being prescribed, along with a description of each animal if possible (species, breed, name)
- The connection between your disability and each animal—Your letter should explain how each animal provides a different type of support or addresses different aspects of your condition
On the other hand, your ESA letter does not need to mention any registration or certification numbers (as there’s no official ESA registry or database), name your specific diagnosis, or include notarization or statements under penalty of perjury.
Single Letter vs. Multiple Letters—What’s Best for You?
Multiple ESA letters aren’t required under the law, but technically, you can still get separate letters—especially if you feel it makes each companion seem more “official” or easier to present in certain situations.
However, if you’re not sure whether you should take this option, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
Aspect | Single ESA Letter | Multiple ESA Letters |
Simplicity | Less paperwork to manage and present to landlords; one renewal date to track | Multiple documents with different renewal dates to keep track of |
Cost | Cost-effective (since most providers charge per letter, not per animal) | More expensive (typically $150–$200 for each letter) |
Scrutiny by landlords | Generally less scrutiny | May raise eyebrows with landlords (especially if the letters are from different providers) |
Effort required | A single consultation and paperwork process | Separate consultations and processing for each animal |
Flexibility | Best if all animals are part of your current ESA plan from the same provider | Ideal if you’re adopting new ESAs later or if one animal is temporary (perhaps you’re fostering) |
All things considered, it’s clear that having a single letter for all your animal friends has several upsides—not only can it save you hundreds of dollars, but it’s easier to manage and often more convincing to housing providers.
How Can I Get an ESA Letter for Multiple Emotional Support Animals
Here’s what the process of getting an ESA letter for multiple animals typically looks like:
- Find an LMHP near you—Since ESA letters are only valid when issued by an LMHP registered and practicing in your state, your first task is to connect and schedule an appointment with one
- Undergo a professional evaluation—The LMHP will diagnose you with a mental health condition outlined in the DSM-5-TR and assess whether multiple animals would genuinely benefit you. Both in-person and online (telehealth) consultations are valid
- Receive your letter—If the LMHP approves your request, they’ll draft your ESA letter. This typically takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on the provider. Once you get it, carefully review it to make sure it contains all the required details
While this process seems straightforward on paper, real life tends to be a bit messier. For starters, there’s that never-ending search for an LMHP who’s licensed in your state and understands the nuances of multiple-animal ESA documentation. Some of them aren’t familiar with writing ESA letters at all, let alone for multiple animals.
If you turn to the internet for help, you’ll likely be met with a sea of fake ESA registration websites promising instant certification for your pets. These sites might look official, often also selling ESA IDs, vests, and badges. However, ESA registration doesn’t exist, and the documents these scam sites provide have no legal standing whatsoever.
If you’re tired of finding a local LMHP alone or scrolling past dozens of fraudulent sites that waste your time and hard-earned money, there’s a better way—a convenient and legitimate online platform like Your Service Animal.

Keep Your Fur Family Together With Your Service Animal
Your Service Animal issues ESA letters for up to three animals at no extra cost, so you can get all the support you need in one go. Whether you require an ESA letter for two dogs and a pint-sized guinea pig or a cat-dog duo that keeps your spirits high, you’ll get your whole fur squad sorted out without jumping through extra hoops.
The best part? The service connects you with LMHPs in your state for relaxed video consultations, ensuring full compliance with all ESA laws while making the process as convenient as possible.
Here’s why getting an ESA letter for all your pets is a breeze with Your Service Animal:
Benefit | Why It Matters |
Free pre-qualification quiz | Save time and money by completing a quick quiz first to see if you’re likely to be approved for an ESA letter before investing in a full evaluation |
Fully online process | No need to take time off work, arrange transportation, or sit in waiting rooms, as you can complete everything from your couch (with your cuddly friends by your side) |
Legal compliance | Your ESA letter for multiple animals is issued after a thorough evaluation by an LMHP in your state, ensuring it meets all federal and state requirements |
Fast turnaround time | Moving soon? Landlord pressuring you? Doesn’t matter—you’ll get your letter within 24–48 hours after your consultation |
Digital delivery | Receive your letter online—no waiting for mail, no lost documents, and easy-to-print multiple copies whenever needed |
100% money-back guarantee | If you don’t qualify for a letter or if your landlord rejects your documentation (which is extremely rare), you get a full refund |
Get an ESA Letter for Multiple Animals ASAP
With Your Service Animal, the process of getting an ESA letter for multiple emotional support animals couldn’t be simpler:
- Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
- Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
- Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
- Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter
No hidden fees, no confusing upsells, no “premium packages” for multiple animals—just a simple, legit way to get the proper documentation for your entire emotional support family.