One Animal Isn’t Always Enough
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides therapeutic comfort for those with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. But different animals may meet different emotional needs. You might have an emotional support dog that helps you get out of the house when you’re lacking motivation, but you might also need a calmer ESA to soothe you while you sleep.
So, since different animals can meet different needs, can you have more than one emotional support animal? The answer is yes, with some important qualifications.
This article explores the pros, cons, and legal details of owning more than one emotional support animal so you can decide the right path for your mental health needs.
Can You Legally Have Multiple ESAs?
Yes, you can have multiple emotional support animals. No law limits the number of ESAs you can have. However, each animal must serve a specific purpose and be clinically justified by a licensed mental health professional. Your emotional support animal letter must explain the role of each animal and how it contributes meaningfully to your emotional well-being.
Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), landlords must make reasonable accommodations for assistance animals, which include service dogs and ESAs. However, they can push back if the presence of one or more animals in the home causes an undue burden.
Situations Where Multiple ESAs May Be Appropriate
Emotional support looks different for everyone, and sometimes, one animal just isn’t enough. Thanks to telehealth platforms like Receptive Health, it’s easier than ever to talk with a licensed provider and figure out what kind of support you truly need.
Here are a few examples of when multiple ESAs might be the right fit:
- You rely on one pet for emotional comfort, but another helps with sleep or grounding during anxious moments.
- You live with both depression and anxiety, and each animal meets different emotional needs.
- You’ve bonded deeply with your current pet but require a second for a more specific therapeutic role.
Of course, all situations are different; these are just a few examples. If having multiple ESAs could be beneficial, talk to your mental health provider.
Pros of Having More Than One Emotional Support Animal
When you’re considering having more than one emotional support animal, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons. Below are the biggest pros to having multiple ESAs.
- Stronger emotional support: Different animals may serve different psychological roles.
- Improved mood and companionship: Multiple ESAs can provide a greater sense of connection and daily engagement.
- Routine and responsibility: Feeding, walking, and caring for multiple animals can increase structure for someone who feels unmoored.
- Support during separation: When one animal is unavailable, the other provides backup comfort.
Cons and Challenges of Multiple ESAs
Just as there are benefits to having more than one emotional support animal, there are several drawbacks. Consider the following before you make your decision.
- Housing limitations: Landlords may deny requests if space, noise, or cleanliness becomes a concern.
- Higher costs: Vet visits, food, grooming, and supplies for more than one animal can quickly add up, so consider your budget before adopting more than one emotional support animal.
- Behavioral management: Not all animals get along; managing their interactions can be stressful for someone who is already anxious and stressed.
- Documentation complexity: Your ESA letter must clearly justify why multiple animals are necessary for your mental health.
Legal Guidelines to Follow
If you’re ready to start the journey toward owning multiple ESAs, ensure you follow the proper legal guidelines. A licensed therapist or provider must evaluate your condition and write a detailed ESA letter explaining each animal’s specific role. Your provider must list each emotional support animal individually and may need to provide identifying information about each animal to differentiate them. The letter must show that each animal contributes to your emotional or mental health support.
Your request must be reasonable in terms of housing capacity and animal care. Although the Fair Housing Act requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for people with assistance animals, they may still have questions before determining whether your request is reasonable.
Landlords may assess:
- Whether the animals are disruptive
- If they cause damage or present health risks
- Whether accommodating them creates a burden on property management
If your landlord pushes back against your right to have multiple ESAs, you may need to consult a legal professional for advice on the best steps forward.
How to Talk to Your Landlord About Multiple ESAs
Talking to your landlord about your ESA can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when you have more than one emotional support animal. To ensure it goes smoothly, be upfront with your landlord from the beginning about having multiple ESAs. You must be prepared with a legitimate ESA letter that clearly explains your need for all animals and the role each plays from a licensed mental health professional. Emphasize that these animals are not pets—they are part of your mental health treatment plan prescribed by your provider.
If your landlord is unsure about having multiple animals in your home, offer them reassurance by providing vet records and a report of each animal’s behavioral history. Keep communication professional, even if you’re experiencing resistance from your landlord.
If your request is denied, ask your landlord for a written explanation and consider filing a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) if your rights are violated.
Final Thoughts: It’s About Need, Not Numbers
Keeping in mind that an emotional support animal is not the same as a service animal, emotional support animals are a form of legitimate mental health care. They offer comfort, support, and encouragement when you might otherwise have none. Therefore, if multiple animals truly support your well-being, talk to your therapist or a Pettable clinician to get the documentation you need for your ESAs.
FAQs
Q: Is there a limit to how many ESAs I can have?
There’s no specific number in law, but each animal must be clinically justified, and housing must reasonably accommodate them.
Q: Can my therapist write a letter for two animals?
Yes, but they must clearly explain how both animals support your mental or emotional health.
Q: Will landlords always accept multiple ESAs?
Not always. They can deny the request if it creates a safety risk, causes damage, or becomes an undue burden.
Q: Do I need two separate ESA letters?
Not necessarily. A single letter may list multiple animals, but it must explain their distinct roles.
Q: Can I register both my pets as ESAs online?
Be cautious, registration isn’t legally required or recognized. Only a letter from a licensed provider is valid.
This article was written for WHN by Nadya Khoja from Pettable. Nadya is an Experienced Head of Marketing with a demonstrated history of working in the internet industry. She is skilled in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Microsoft Word, Sales, Adobe Creative Suite, and Event Management. She is also a strong marketing professional with a Master of Digital Media focused on Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia from Ryerson University.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
