Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Emotional Support Animal?
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides therapeutic benefits to people with mental health or psychiatric disabilities, helping with conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Unlike service animals, ESAs don' require specific training and any type of animal can be an ESA including your current pet. To qualify, you must consult a licensed mental health professional for an ESA letter, and follow all state laws.
What is an ESA letter and what rights does it give me?
An emotional support animal letter (ESA letter) is a document from a licensed mental health professional stating that a person benefits from having an ESA due to a mental health condition like depression, anxiety or PTSD.
The Fair Housing Act protects people with ESAs by allowing them to live in housing that might otherwise prohibit pets. ESA letters can also provide legal protections that eliminate costly pet deposits and pet fees. If you have a legitimate ESA letter a landlord cannot deny you from living with your pet.
Which type of animals qualify as Emotional Support Animals?
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort to help alleviate symptoms or effects of a person's disability. There are no specific restrictions on the type or breed of an ESA, as long as it is reasonable and justified.
It’s important to note that ESAs are different from service animals, such as guide dogs for the visually impaired. Service animals must meet stricter criteria, including specialized training in obedience, public access, and tasks directly related to a disability. This additional training is essential because service animals are granted public access and travel rights, unlike ESAs, which are primarily protected under housing laws.
ESAs do not have public access or travel rights. It’s always best to check individual business policies to determine whether they permit ESAs.
Does my current pet qualify as an Emotional Support Animal?
Yes. An emotional support animal can be any breed or species as long as it supports an emotional or psychological condition.
Since emotional support animals do not require any training, your childhood pet or newly adopted animal can qualify.
Landlords or property managers must make reasonable accommodations for your emotional support animal as long as it does not present health or safety issues for other tenants.
What if my landlord says he won’t honor my legitimate ESA letter?
With a valid ESA letter, the Fair Housing Act requires your landlord to allow your emotional support animal to live with you in your residence. It is the law.
However, some landlords may attempt to impose barriers or resist accommodating legitimate ESAs. If this happens, contact your licensed mental health professional for assistance in verifying or validating your ESA letter. All Pets52 clinicians are trained and experienced and can help you navigate this situation with your landlord.
How do I know if I qualify for an Emotional Support Animal?
The primary requirement for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is having an emotional or psychological condition that improves with the presence of a supportive pet. These conditions may include depression, generalized anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and more. Keep in mind, ESAs do not require any special training.
Only a licensed mental health professional can determine if you meet the criteria for an ESA. Through our service, you’ll have the opportunity to consult directly with a qualified mental health professional in your state. Pets52 connects you with licensed professionals who provide honest evaluations to determine if you qualify for an ESA. Unlike less reputable services, we don’t simply issue letters for a fee. Instead, we prioritize connecting you with a professional for a genuine assessment.
How does the ESA process work at Pets52?
Step 1: Start by clicking the ‘Get Started’ button on our website and taking our quick 3-minute quiz. Based on your answers, we’ll determine if you pre-qualify for an ESA letter. If you qualify, you’ll be presented with your purchasing options upon completing the quiz.
Step 2: All Pets52 customers will then select a membership plan. Choose between paying $5.99 per month or prepaying annually at a discounted rate. A Pets52 membership includes unlimited 24x7 access to veterinary telehealth services, with licensed professionals ready to assist you and your pet anytime. This benefit can save you hundreds of dollars annually.
Step 3: Once you’ve joined and purchased your ESA letter, you’ll schedule a convenient time for a consultation with one of our licensed clinicians in your state. We’ll also send you a confirmation email to ensure you don’t miss your appointment.
Step 4: During a brief 15-minute consultation, your clinician will determine if you qualify for ESA accommodation. If approved, you’ll receive your ESA letter via email within 24 hours. If you don’t qualify, we’ll refund your payment in full—100% guaranteed.
How does the money-back guarantee work?
At Pets52, we understand how important it is to have peace of mind during this process. That’s why we’re proud to be the only ESA service offering a 100% Money-Back Guarantee. There are two specific reasons we will refund your purchase: (1) if you don’t qualify for an ESA letter after your consultation, or (2) if your landlord refuses to accept the letter.
How do I know if my landlord or property manager will accept my ESA letter?
When you complete our quiz, we use your responses to connect you with a therapist who specializes in cases like yours and can address your unique needs.
To our knowledge, Pets52 is the only service that offers a comprehensive Money-Back Guarantee. If you don’t qualify for an ESA letter after your consultation, or if your landlord rejects your letter after you’ve filed a complaint with HUD, we’ll refund your purchase in full.
Our team is experienced in handling all types of ESA cases, including those involving multiple pets, breed or size restrictions, travel across state lines, and urgent needs. We are confident in our ability to meet your specific ESA requirements. If we’re unable to help, you’ll receive a 100% refund.
How can I be sure this is legal?
The executives at Pets52 have several years of experience in the ESA space and all therapists affiliated with Pets52 must comply with laws pertaining to support animals within the Fair Housing Act (FHA). To find out more about assistance animals and how they are protected under the FHA you can research HUD's Assistance Animals Guidance, FHEO-2020-01, published on January 28, 2020.
This guidance outlines the requirements for reasonable accommodations related to assistance animals, including emotional support animals, and provides clarity on how landlords and property managers must handle ESA requests under the FHA
What makes your ESA letters legitimate?
Licensed Professionals in Your State – Every mental health professional in our network is fully licensed, has passed rigorous board exams, and is authorized to provide ESA letters in your state. We carefully match you with a qualified clinician who meets all legal requirements to issue ESA letters where you reside.
Phone Consultation – Your assigned professional will arrange a phone consultation to discuss your needs and establish a relationship. This consultation provides the necessary foundation for determining whether an ESA letter is appropriate for you.
Legally Compliant ESA Letters – ESA letters are issued directly by a licensed mental health professional and include their license number and contact details. The letter will be on the professional’s official letterhead and will include all the legally required information for an ESA prescription.
How long does the process take and when will I receive my ESA letter?
We can turn around an ESA letter in as fast as 48 hours!
We have an extensive network of mental health professionals, licensed across states, with a wide range of availability and can route you to someone that is able to meet your timeline needs.
Once a consultation is concluded, letters are turned around within 24 hours and most of the time much more quickly than that.
What if I don’t have a pet yet?
You can get your ESA letter before you have a pet. Once you’ve consulted with a licensed mental health professional and obtained your ESA letter, the next step is to designate your emotional support animal. This can be any breed or species, whether it’s a pet you already own or one you adopt or rescue. There’s no need to visit a specific breeder or location to find your ESA. Just find the right pet for you.
What are the mental health benefits to having an Emotional Support Animal?
Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide comfort and companionship that can help reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Their presence can promote a sense of calm, improve mood, and offer stability during stressful situations. By fostering a strong bond, ESAs can also encourage routines and provide a sense of purpose, benefiting overall mental well-being.
What exact content is written in my ESA letter?
Our ESA letters contain the following:
- The official letterhead of the mental health professional.
- Their business, contact information, and signature.
- Their license information, which allows anyone to check the status of their license.
- Their confirmation that you meet the definition of a disability and recommendation for an emotional support animal.
Our ESA letters do not disclose any personal medical or mental health information about you. Your personal health information is always kept private. And it is against the Fair Housing Act for your landlord or property manager to ask you about your mental health information or why you need an emotional support animal.
What exactly is the Fair Housing Act and how does it impact my Emotional Support Animal?
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. It ensures individuals with disabilities have equal access to housing and reasonable accommodations.
Under the FHA, emotional support animals (ESAs) are recognized as a form of assistance for individuals with disabilities. Landlords must make reasonable accommodations to allow ESAs, even in properties with "no pets" policies, provided the request is supported by proper documentation from a licensed mental health professional. Unlike pets, ESAs are protected under the FHA, but tenants are still responsible for ensuring their animal does not pose a health or safety risk.
Do I ever need to renew my ESA letter?
While the Fair Housing Act and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development do not provide specific guidelines about ESA letter expiration, we recommend renewing your letter annually for several reasons:
Landlords or property managers may reject an expired ESA letter, so having up-to-date documentation ensures your need for an emotional support animal is still recognized. Additionally, clinicians may not confirm an outdated letter if contacted by a landlord for verification.
Pets52 offers our members an ESA renewal for only $49. This is by-far the least expensive renewal option available. And it is another reason Pets52 is the #1 ESA letter provider in the country. Before you buy an ESA letter make sure to ask what the annual renewal fee is. You should never pay more than $49 for your ESA renewal
Do I have to speak with a mental health professional to get an ESA letter?
Yes, to qualify for an ESA letter, you must consult with a licensed mental health professional. During the consultation, the professional will evaluate your emotional or mental health needs and determine if an emotional support animal is a suitable part of your treatment.
This process ensures that the ESA letter is valid and complies with legal requirements, such as those outlined in the Fair Housing Act. Without this step, an ESA letter may not be considered legitimate by landlords or housing providers.
All Pets52 therapists are trained in understanding the human-pet bond and how it can help most people with mental health issues including anxiety, stress, depression and PTSD.
Are Emotional Support Animals the same as Service Animals?
No! Emotional support animals offer comfort and support to a person with a diagnosed mental or emotional condition and are provided legal protections for housing accommodations. Emotional support animals do not need any special training. In contrast, service animals assist individuals with disabilities, helping with daily tasks or alerting to conditions like seizures or PTSD. Service dogs undergo specialized training and receive certification to perform these functions. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Emotional Support Animals are not considered service animals, so they don’t have public access rights in airplanes, restaurants or retail locations.
Can I purchase ESA letters for multiple animals?
Yes, if multiple animals provide necessary emotional support you can qualify and receive separate letters for each pet.
Are there ESA scams or rip-offs out there?
Unfortunately, yes, fraudulent websites claiming to provide ESA letters are becoming more common. These letters often fail to meet federal and state legal standards, putting unsuspecting individuals at risk.
There are 3 things to look out for when purchasing an ESA letter:
- First you should never pay more than $50 for your ESA letter. Pets52 was created to provide much more affordable access to mental health professionals who can help you with your ESA assessment without breaking the bank.
- There is no such thing as a national registry for emotional support animals. Any company that is trying to get you to pay to ‘register’ your ESA is probably a scam. All you need is your ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
If a service does not require you to speak with a licensed mental health professional to get an assessment for your ESA, then it is probably a scam. To qualify for an ESA letter you must have a live consultation and conversation with a licensed mental health clinician in your state.
- Pets52 is not a purchase–diagnosis service but instead we refer you to a qualified licensed mental health professional who will assess your need for an ESA through a live consultation. We follow all state and federal guidelines regarding ESA letters.
Is Pets52 A Membership Club?
Yes. Pets52 offers several products and services for pet parents at deep discounts as part of a membership program. Not only do Pets52 members save money, but they also enjoy unparalleled member benefits including unlimited 24x7 veterinary telehealth which can save hundreds of dollars in annual veterinary bills. It's easy to become a member and it’s explained in more detail in your shopping cart. All ESA purchases include a one-year membership.
