How Much Does It Cost to Register a Cat as an Emotional Support Animal?

Emotional support animals play the key role of providing mental health support for those in need. They help with only their presence, and sometimes a little bit of deep pressure therapy (DPT). What makes ESAs special is the fact that they don’t have to be dogs or small horses, which is typical of service animals.

Instead, ESAs can be any type of animal. This, of course, includes dogs, but it also includes cats, ferrets, mice, and other animals. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll be focusing on emotional support cats and how much they cost; for more on how to get an ESA cat, you’ll want to check out this guide.

So, how much does it cost to register a cat as an emotional support animal? Read this article to find out.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that offers comfort to someone who has a mental health disorder. It’s as simple as that. While this may sound similar to a psychiatric service animal, the key difference is that an ESA is only protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), and not the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). This means that they can’t accompany you in public spaces or on airlines.

While emotional support animals can’t be out with you in public, there’s a lot more leniency in the animal you can have. For these reasons, it’s not uncommon to see a wide variety of animals working in emotional support roles. Ultimately, it depends on your needs.

Can a Cat Be an Emotional Support Animal?

Yes, a cat can be an emotional support animal. In fact, almost any animal can be an emotional support animal. This is due to the fact that emotional support animals aren’t handled the same way as service animals.

Since they don’t need any training, the type of animal isn’t as important. However, it’s important that they’re well-behaved, fit in your living space, and are helpful for your mental health condition.

For these reasons, you’ll find that emotional support cats are a popular option for their size. Plus, they’re less likely to damage your apartment than an untrained dog, and many cats love to snuggle, purr, and sit on your lap, which is exactly the type of support that ESAs should provide.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Cat as an Emotional Support Animal?

The cost to register a cat as an emotional support animal can be as little as around $90 when you work with reputable online organizations, like US Service Animals, but also as much as $300 if you pay out-of-pocket for an in-person appointment with a licensed mental health professional.

That said, costs may vary based on the organization, insurance coverage, and other factors. Regardless of the price you pay, you’ll find that it’s almost always more than worth it because you can avoid landlord fees and eviction. Plus, you won’t have to part ways with your cat in otherwise non-pet-friendly housing.

How Do You Register a Cat as an Emotional Support Animal?

Registering your cat to be an emotional support animal comes down to having an emotional support animal letter for them. An ESA letter states your condition, why you need an ESA, and must be signed by a licensed mental health professional.

To accomplish this, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your licensed mental health professional. However, you can also choose online options from organizations, like US Service Animals, that connect you with a professional in your state for a telehealth appointment.

You’ll need to provide information about your condition, your animal, and how an ESA can help you. Whether or not you qualify is up to you and your mental health professional to decide. Then, you have to wait until your ESA letter arrives.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Cat as an Emotional Support Animal? Our Final Thoughts

So, how much does it cost to register a cat as an emotional support animal? The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot, especially if you go through an online ESA letter provider like US Service Animals.

That said, you’ll still have to spend around $89 to $100 when you apply online, and around $300 to $500 when you schedule in-person appointments with licensed mental health professionals. Make sure you keep this in mind before applying, especially when telehealth can save you time and money.