Rats have an undeserved rap for being dirty, unintelligent, and destructive rodents, but this couldn’t be any further from the truth.
Rats are actually some of the smartest animals out there, and while they can be reserved around strangers, they’re incredibly sociable around those they form strong bonds with. Rats are also clean animals and practice self-grooming several times throughout the day.
If you’re considering adopting a rat to become an emotional support animal, you probably have a lot of questions about the process. You’re likely also wondering if rats can even become legally recognized as ESAs. Today, we’ll delve into all this further and address your concerns.
What Is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An emotional support animal, or ESA, is a companion who assists people with debilitating psychiatric conditions. Through their presence, they offer comfort, security, and reassurance, and can help ease distressing feelings. They can also bring structure to their owner’s life and give them a strong sense of purpose.
ESAs differ from service animals, who are specially trained to perform disability-related tasks. Due to this key distinction, ESAs receive different legal rights.
ESA Legal Protections
At a federal level, emotional support animals are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This federal law was specifically created to prohibit discrimination in housing, with protected characteristics including race, gender, and disability.
Since ESAs assist people with disabilities, the FHA treats them as medical aids and grants them certain legal protections.
Under the FHA, emotional support animals are exempt from no-pet policies in rental housing. Landlords must reasonably accommodate them and also can’t charge pet-related fees, such as pet rent or additional security deposits.
Be aware that ESAs can be denied these rights if they’re destructive, aggressive, or can’t safely live on the premises. A landlord can also deny ESAs housing if accommodating them poses an undue hardship.
Some states grant additional protections for ESAs. For example, under California state law, employers must reasonably accommodate emotional support animals within the workplace.
Can Rats Become Emotional Support Animals?
Only dogs and miniature horses can be legally recognized as service animals. However, the same restrictions don’t apply to emotional support animals. This is because there are currently no federal laws that restrict the species, age, weight, breed, or size of an ESA.
Unlike service animals, ESAs also aren’t required to perform tasks and don’t have any specific training requirements
Therefore, any animal, including a rat, can become legally recognized as an emotional support animal in the US. Rats are also well-suited to the role since they’re sociable, intelligent, and affectionate with their families. Plus, they don’t require much space to thrive and can adapt to most lifestyles well, provided their core needs are met.
How to Get an Emotional Support Rat
Below, we’ll provide a quick rundown of how to obtain an emotional support rat:
- Speak to a licensed mental healthcare professional (LMHP) to discuss your eligibility for an ESA. You must have a diagnosed emotional or mental health condition that significantly affects at least one major aspect of your life.
- If you meet the initial criteria, you will need to attend an ESA assessment. The LMHP will ask you several questions to determine whether an ESA will be helpful for your condition.
- If the LMHP decides that an ESA is a suitable treatment option, they will provide you with a valid emotional support animal letter. Make sure to specify that your ESA species is (or will be) a rat. This document grants your animal legal ESA status, and you can then benefit from protections like the FHA housing rights.
Is an Emotional Support Rat Right for Me?
From their loving playful personality to their compact, easy-to-manage size, a rat can make an exceptional emotional support animal for the right home. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding whether an emotional support rat is right for you:
- Rats are social animals who need plenty of attention and mental stimulation to thrive.
- Rats have short lifespans, with most only living for up to 2 years. They may not be a suitable ESA if you’re strongly affected by grief, especially when you’re already struggling with a mental health condition.
- Rats are clean animals, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect their living conditions. You will still need to clean their cage at least once a week.
