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Discover Your ESA Eligibility

Start Your Emotional Support Animal (ESA) registration by answering brief questions about your ESA requirements.

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Consult with an experienced doctor

Consult a licensed medical professional for expert guidance and care.

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Obtain your official esa letter

Get approved and receive your emotional support animal letter in 30 Days.

Emotional Support Animal Law in California

For California residents, California Law AB-468, effective January 1, 2022, requires a 30-day client-provider relationship before an ESA letter can be issued, resulting in a longer timeline than the typical 24 hours.

Your ESA Letter Contains the Following:

Your ESA Letter Contains the Following:

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If Your California ESA Letter is not approved, we will refund 100% of your payment.

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About Emotional Support Animals In California

California recognizes the pivotal role of service and emotional support animals in aiding individuals with disabilities. This article explores the legal framework protecting the rights of these individuals and their animal companions in various spheres of life within the state.

Housing: In California, landlords are mandated to accommodate service animals and emotional support animals, even in properties with no-pet policies. Additional pet fees are prohibited, but tenants may be held responsible for any damages caused by their animals. To request reasonable accommodation, tenants must furnish reliable documentation.

Employment: Individuals in California have the right to seek accommodations for their service animals or emotional support animals in the workplace. Employers are obligated to provide accommodations that do not impose undue hardship. If necessary, alternative accommodations may be proposed, and reliable documentation may be requested.

Public Places: Service animals are permitted in public areas in California as long as they are under control and do not pose a threat. Businesses are prohibited from charging fees for their presence. Staff members are allowed to ask two questions to determine if an animal is a service animal, but they cannot inquire about the individual’s disability or demand documentation or demonstrations.

These laws in California aim to ensure equal access and support for individuals with disabilities and their animals. By comprehending and respecting these regulations, we can foster a more inclusive society.

man holding his emotional support dog by a lake
man holding his emotional support dog by a lake

What is an emotional support animal in California?

An emotional support animal (ESA) in California refers to an animal, typically a pet, that delivers therapeutic benefits to its owner who is suffering from a mental or emotional disability. The companionship, comfort, and emotional support these animals provide aid in alleviating symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. California state laws uphold the rights of individuals with ESAs to live in housing regardless of “no pet” policies.

Are emotional support animals considered service dogs in California?

In California, emotional support animals (ESAs) are not classified as service animals. While ESAs and service animals both provide vital support, service animals are trained specifically to carry out tasks or duties that assist with their handler’s disability. On the other hand, California emotional support animals offer emotional assistance and therapeutic companionship but are not required to undergo task-specific training.

What is the law for emotional support animals in California?

In 2022, California enacted AB-468, which significantly impacts individuals seeking to add an emotional support dog to their lives. This legislation requires individuals to have a minimum 30-day relationship with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) before obtaining an ESA letter. The purpose of this law is to prevent scams related to support animals, including misleading offers of ESA certificates, registration, and ID cards that are not necessary. Additionally, it seeks to protect consumers from being misled into thinking ESA products are equivalent to service animals, which have different classifications and requirements.

According to AB-468, LMHPs must hold a valid California license to issue ESA letters within the state. The ESA letter must contain the LMHP’s license number, its effective date, the issuing jurisdiction, and the type of professional license. For emotional support dogs, the LMHP must establish at least a 30-day relationship with the patient seeking an ESA letter and conduct a clinical evaluation, either in person or via telehealth. This law pertains solely to emotional support animals and does not apply to service dogs, which are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

What is the difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal in California?

In the state of California, the primary distinction between an emotional support animal (ESA) and a service animal pertains to their legal rights and public access privileges. Service animals, including service dogs, are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which grants them public access rights. These rights allow service animals to accompany their handlers in places open to the public. Conversely, ESAs, including those in California, are not accorded the same public access rights under the ADA, and are typically not allowed in public areas where pets are not permitted. It’s crucial for individuals in California to understand the specific laws and regulations relating to service animals and ESAs.

Discover Wellness Wag

We at Wellness Wag, comprise a team of devoted professionals who believe in enhancing lives through the healing power of emotional support animals. With our extensive experience in the sector, we’ve aided countless individuals in finding tranquility, comfort, and a revitalised sense of well-being through the companionship of an Emotional Support Animal.

Our objective at Wellness Wag is to ensure reliable and accessible Emotional Support Animal Letters consultations. This provides individuals battling emotional and mental health issues the chance to witness the life-changing impact of an ESA’s companionship. We are committed to equipping our clients with the knowledge and resources to navigate this process with confidence and empathy.

Discover The Effortless Way To Get Your Legitimate ESA Letter With Wellness Wag

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Complete Our Assessment

Take our quick assessment to tell us about your situation and emotional support needs, so we can tailor our services to your emotional support animal in California.

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Consult With Medical Physicians

After you submit the required forms, we’ll link you with a licensed medical professional in California for a personalized consultation and thorough evaluation to assess your eligibility for an ESA.

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Receive Your ESA Letter

Upon confirmation by our team, you’ll receive a professionally crafted ESA letter with legal recognition after 30 days of your consultation.

Wellness Wag offers a Money Back Guarantee to ensure a stress-free experience with your pet.
If, for any reason, your legitimate ESA letter doesn’t work, we will refund your money in full.
Whether it’s because of non-qualification or illegal denial by your landlord, we’ve got you covered.


Our policy guarantees a 100% refund for two reasons:

  • You don’t qualify after the consultation
  • Your landlord rejects the letter despite being HUD complaint

Embrace the transformative benefits of emotional support animals with ease.
Choose Wellness Wag for a smooth process guided by our trusted team of medical physicians.
Enjoy the positive impact of the ESA experience for you and your furry companions.

*Note: For California residents, California Law AB-468, effective January 1, 2022, requires a 30-day client-provider relationship before an ESA letter can be issued, resulting in a longer timeline than the typical 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

In California, you are not required to register your emotional support animal (ESA). ESAs are distinct from service dogs and are not subject to the same training or certification criteria. However, various establishments and airlines may have specific policies related to ESAs, so it’s important to stay informed about those rules.

California laws don’t grant emotional support animals the same access rights as service dogs, which have special training to assist people with disabilities. Service dogs are generally allowed in public places like restaurants, stores, and other establishments, while ESAs might not have the same rights. Therefore, it’s advised to check the specific laws and policies of the place you’re planning to visit.

If you reside in California, you must comply with California Law AB-468, which became effective on January 1, 2022. This law mandates a 30-day relationship with your licensed mental health professional (LMHP) before receiving an ESA letter. This includes having at least two consultations with your LMHP. Starting the process with us initiates the establishment of this required 30-day relationship. This law helps ensure the authenticity and effectiveness of ESA letters and protects you from potential scams.

Obtaining an ESA letter in California can provide you with a host of benefits. It confers legitimacy and allows your ESA to live with you even in housing with pet restrictions and can offer specific travel allowances. ESAs provide comfort, companionship, and a sense of security, helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. ESAs can also enhance conventional therapy, boost mood, reduce loneliness, and improve overall well-being. A licensed medical provider in California can help you determine if an ESA is a suitable option for your needs.

Yes, the Fair Housing Act, a federal law, applies to ESAs in California as well. This law prohibits housing discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including those who need an ESA for emotional support. It mandates that landlords and property owners make reasonable accommodations, including permitting ESAs, even if there’s a “no pets” policy in place. An ESA letter from a licensed medical provider is required to qualify for these accommodations.

Traveling with an ESA on airlines is subject to regulations by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the airline’s specific policies. Notably, the DOT has revised the rules concerning the transportation of service animals on flights. The new rules define a service animal as a dog trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. This implies that airlines aren’t federally mandated to allow ESAs on flights. However, each airline may have its own ESA policies, so it’s crucial to check with them before you travel.

After obtaining your ESA letter from a licensed medical provider, any breed or species of animal can become your ESA in California. It could be an existing pet or a new one you adopt. Please note that an ESA letter only covers one animal, so it cannot be used to cover multiple pets.

Ensuring Legitimacy – Our ESA letters are legitimate in California due to the following factors:

  • Licensed Professionals in California: Our team comprises licensed medical providers who are fully qualified and have passed board exams in California. We ensure that your ESA letter is approved by a licensed medical provider legally qualified for this purpose in California.
  • Phone Consultation: Our professionals establish a valid relationship with you via a phone consultation to prescribe an ESA letter legally.
  • Compliant Letters: Our licensed medical provider directly issues the ESA Letter containing their license number and contact information on professional letterhead, including all the legally required details for an ESA prescription in California.

Though there’s no official specification for the expiration of an ESA letter, we advise renewing it annually for these reasons specific to California:

  • Landlords in California may reject an expired ESA letter, so renewing ensures your documentation is up to date.
  • Clinicians in California might not validate an expired ESA letter when contacted by a landlord, so an annual consultation keeps recommendations current.

In compliance with federal and state laws, our ESA letter consultations are conducted over the phone. A licensed medical provider will assess your needs to determine your eligibility for an ESA letter during this consultation.

Yes, in California, you can register multiple animals under a single ESA letter. The letter is tailored to your individual needs and can accommodate multiple animals, provided that your healthcare provider is informed about each animal’s role in your emotional support. This means that if you have several pets that serve as emotional support animals, you can include them all in the same ESA letter.

Absolutely! Your existing pet can serve as your ESA in California if it provides support for an emotional or psychological condition. However, do bear in mind local laws and regulations concerning exotic animals. Certain species are illegal to own in any capacity within the United States.

Explore Local ESA Letter Guidance for the State of California