March 2022
Communities with a no-pets policy can be inundated with requests for emotional support animals from residents attempting to circumvent pet restrictions. While primarily relating to dogs, requests can be for cats, birds, snakes and even pigs.
This is not to be confused with needing a service animal which is considered reasonable accommodation for any resident with a doctor-certified disability making the request. Rejecting any legitimate request goes against human rights legislation and is a form of discrimination.
Requests for comfort and emotional support animals are believed to be heavily abused. Numerous websites offer medical certification for an emotional support animal without having to visit a doctor. Simply complete an online questionnaire of about 20 questions and pay a fee as low as $70 to receive a supporting letter or other documentation. The entire process takes a few minutes and is unregulated.
Condo corporations enforcing pet restrictions are not required to accept tags, certificates or letters from unregulated registries or medical providers that advertise for this service. They can request additional details from a local medical provider and not an internet service.
Legitimate reasons for requesting a service animal accommodation include blindness, deafness and PTSD. Such requests should be willingly accommodated once proper documentation is provided. Legitimate service animal requesters should willingly comply with these requests. Illegitimate requests will likely be dropped.
