All About KLM Policies On Emotional Support Animals

Before December 2020, emotional support animals were considered service animals. But that was before the DOT decided to revise the Air Carrier Access Act. And come January 2021, things were different, with emotional support animals losing their place under the service animal category.

According to the KLM emotional support animal policy, ESAs can only be considered service dogs when flying to and from the U.S.

However, for your pet to qualify as an ESA for occasional special considerations, you must acquire special documentation, including an ESA letter from a certified mental health physician. While that may prove frantic, DoNotPay can help you get an affordable and reliable ESA letter service alongside solving other ESA-related issues.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal is, in simple terms, a domestic pet, typically a cat or dog, that provides therapeutic benefits to individuals with mental stability issues. These could include PTSD, phobias, extreme anxiety, etc.

What Is an ESA letter?

An ESA letter is a document that allows individuals with any form of mental disability to have the company of an ESA even in a "no-pets-allowed" setting. It's vital to have your ESA letter drafted by a qualified and certified mental health physician, contrary to which it may lose relevance.

Although not mandatory, it would build a more solid case for you, the recipient, if you acquire your ESA letter through the same physician handling your mental welfare. Additionally, be sure to inspect the ESA letter for the following information:

• Physician's contact details (for verification)
• Letter's issue date
• Certified Mental Health Professional license number
• License expiry date

KLM and Emotional Support Animals

Besides being the Netherlands' flag carrier, KLM is still renowned even in the world's most prominent cities. Before 2021, KLM recognized ESA dogs and allowed them onboard free of charge, like other major airlines.

But that privilege is now only exclusive to service animals, whose definition, according to the ACAA, no longer accommodates emotional support animals. Unfortunately, the situation isn't any different elsewhere, with major airlines like United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines altering their ESA policies to boot.

However, KLM promises to consider ESAs as service animals, provided you intend to fly to and from the U.S. Also, your ESA must entirely satisfy KLM's checklist as stated in their application form, and you'll also have to fill another form from the DOT.

So, if you're traveling to other destinations outside the U.S., your ESA will travel as a pet under the KLM's Pet Travel Policy. You'll hence incur charges and not receive any special treatment. Trained service dogs, on the contrary, can travel for free, although you still need to fill in both forms.

How Can You Solve ESA-Related Concerns on Your Own?

Again, an ESA letter is mandatory for any ESA owner. After all, it's the only official proof that makes your furry friend stand out from ordinary pets. The letter must showcase official capacity and should thus be drafted by a certified mental health practitioner.

Handlers with personal mental health physicians could acquire the ESA letter pretty easily. You only need to request an appointment, and they could draft you one. Alternatively, you could try reaching out to a licensed mental health professional and request a virtual appointment. And in most cases, you'll acquire your ESA letter in a few days. Check our ESA letter example to get an idea of what to expect.

Nevertheless, coming across an affordable and reliable mental health physician may be laborious. And given the protocols involved, handling any ESA-Related issues isn't straightforward either.

How DoNotPay Can Help

DoNotPay boasts the Service and Emotional Support Animals product, which you could employ to tackle any possible ESA-related issues. For instance, we can contact KLM and inquire about their ESA accommodation options. Or, we can help you land an affordable ESA-letter drafting service or even contact your landlord about their ESA policy.

Here’s how:

1. Search "service animal" on DoNotPay.

2. Select the type of issue you need help with, including contacting your landlord about your ESA/service animal, asking your airline about ESA options, or requesting ESA/service accommodations at other venues.

3. Answer a series of questions about your current situation and the details of your ESA/service animal, so we can generate the best results for you.

And that's it! DoNotPay will handle your burning concern accordingly, whichever the case. We'll consult your airline on their ESA policy and provide feedback, draft a letter requesting an ESA letter from your licensed mental health physician, or draft and mail a letter to your landlord for you according to the Fair Housing Act.

Why Use DoNotPay to Solve ESA-Related Issues

DoNotPay is:

1. Fast – Save yourself precious time and let us manage the ever-laborious ESA issues.
2. Easy – DoNotPay will automatically draft and mail the boring demand and request letters for you.
3. Successful – Relax and watch us solve your ESA or service animal concerns successfully.

More Pet Products by DoNotPay

Besides the ESA and service animal products, DoNotPay also provides other pet-related products. Some include:

• Pet Licenses
• Pet Custody Agreements
• Lost and Found Pets
• Reporting Animal Abuse

Other Services by DoNotPay

DoNotPay also incorporates additional services, which could be helpful in entirely different situations. Some include:

• Hotel Upgrades
• Airline Flight Compensation
• Cancel Any Subscription or Service
• Small Claims Court

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