ByEverything You Should Know About ESA Laws in Missouri
Having an emotional support animal (ESA) has many advantages. The animal offers you companionship and the emotional support to cope with mental health issues, and the two of you enjoy certain protections enshrined in Missouri ESA laws.
The two important laws regarding ESAs in Missouri are Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). When it comes to traveling by plane, ACAA gives airlines the opportunity to let you board a plane alongside your ESA. FHA, on the other hand, allows you to secure accommodation even in apartments restricting living with pets.
Therefore, you can fly in the sky or rent a house without any worries that you have to leave your emotional support animal behind or incur extra fees. This article explains more about and how DoNotPay can help with all ESA-related concerns.
What Are Missouri ESA Laws?
Below are the laws governing owning and living with an .
The FHA provides that you can live with your emotional support animal in a rented unit. Your landlord should not charge you more or deny you housing because of living with your companion animal. However, you must present your ESA letter to your landlord and assure that your ESA won't pose risks or be a nuisance to those living around you and the property. If you meet the two, you can live even in Missouri residences with a no-pets policy.
- Air Carriers Access Act
The ACAA provides that your ESA in Missouri can accompany you on a flight to airlines that accept ESAs. Note that although Southwest, American, and United Airlines used to accept ESAs, they no longer allow them. But others like Volaris and Latam Airlines accept ESAs in the cabin. Provided your ESA, especially a dog, does not show any signs of aggressiveness, the airline may allow you to board together and won't charge you any additional fees.
However, you need to have an ESA letter obtained from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) in Missouri. Besides, you must notify the airline 48 hours or more prior to your boarding. Some airlines may request additional documentation, including a vaccination form, veterinary health form, signed testimony by the vet regarding your animal's behavior, and more.
What Is a Missouri ESA Letter?
While the two Missouri laws, FHA and ACAA, protect and allow you to travel by air or live with your emotional support animal, you realize that an ESA letter is a requirement in any situation. The letter is a formal document you obtain from a licensed mental health professional in Missouri and proves that your pet is recognized as an ESA. With this letter, you'll enjoy the protection of the Missouri ESA laws.
An ESA letter must have the following details:
- LMHP's signature
- LMHP contact details
- LMHP's license number
- Letter issued date
- License expiration date
Note that a Missouri ESA letter has one-year validity.
Getting an ESA Letter in Missouri and Requesting ESA Accommodation on Your Own
You can only secure accommodation in an aircraft cabin or housing in residences with a no-pets policy if you produce a valid ESA letter.
Here's how to get an ESA letter in Missouri:
- The first step is to find a licensed mental health professional
- State that you wish to get an ESA letter
- The health professional then determines whether you qualify for an ESA letter. Generally, LMHPs evaluate your mental health condition and whether having emotional support can help
- If your application is approved, the licensed professional will mail or email you a signed ESA letter
Requesting Emotional Support Animals Accommodation
To request for accommodation for your emotional support animal, here’s what you need to do:
| Housing | Write a formal letter addressing your landlord to get all information regarding owning and living with an ESA in their rental units. |
| Air travel | Write an official letter to the airline agencies requesting ESA accommodation. Missouri ESA law on air travel with emotional support animals requires that you send your request at least 48 hours prior to boarding. |
Both requests for air travel and housing accommodation require you to attach a valid ESA letter. If you are yet to get your ESA letter, you can write to the mental health professional to follow up.
How to Request ESA Accommodation in Missouri if You Can't Do on Your Own
Sending requests to secure ESA accommodation in residences or during travel can be overwhelming when you do it yourself. You have to confirm any additional documents from the landlord or airline agency. Besides, the response may take a long time, leaving you frustrated.
Don't lose your calm just yet. DoNotPay, an online solution that helps with all ESA-related concerns, is here to help.
DoNotPay sends the requests on your behalf and keeps the concerned party on their toes to ensure you get your response fast. DoNotPay can also flex its muscles to help you demand compensation from a landlord who ignores Missouri ESA laws, denies you ESA accommodation, or places an extra charge for your ESA.
How DoNotPay Can Help
DoNotPay launched the Service and Emotional Support Animals product to help you with all ESA-related concerns. Whether you are requesting ESA accommodation from the airline or landlord, DoNotPay will do it on your behalf.
Below are the steps to follow:
- Search "service animal" on DoNotPay.
- 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.
- Answer several questions about your current situation and the details of your ESA/service animal, so we can generate the best results for you.
You are done! DoNotPay takes up the matter on its hands, generates an official letter depending on your concern, and ensures it reaches the concerned party.
More Pets-Related Products From DoNotPay
Other than ESA related concerns, DoNotPay can also help you:
- Find or report lost and found pets
- Apply for pet licenses
- Report animal abuse
- Make pet custody agreement
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
Anytime you need help while surfing the web, DoNotPay has always got your back. It can help solve many other issues such as:
- Making cancellations
- Getting airline compensation
- Making small claims
- Making inquiries regarding animal control
- Getting hotel upgrades
For fast, efficient, and affordable solutions to problems you encounter on the web, reach out to .