By M. Hernandez 2/2/2024
Cats or dogs can be such a wonderful addition to a person’s life, especially persons with disabilities and older adults! Some of these animals are recognized under the Fair Housing Act as ‘Emotional Support Animals.’ They are not required to perform any certain tasks, but just to be there for you if you have a disability. But how does a person with a disability or older adult adopt one if they are unable to visit a shelter or rescue organization?
This dilemma confronted me lately. I am a person with a disability, and 60+ years old. I don’t drive anymore and am unable to utilize local transportation services, as they either don’t accommodate mobility scooters. are expensive, or don’t cover my area. On top of this, I am unvaccinated due to a possible allergic reaction to the COVID vaccines. It’s not good for me to be around a lot of people at one time. The dog/cat rescue service I contacted would not accommodate me. They required me to visit their shelter in-person to be considered, even though I explained their obligation to accommodate me under the ADA.
A couple of weeks later I thought about contacting another rescue that I knew of. Again I filled out the application. They said that everything on it was ‘perfect.’ Then they asked me to visit to see the cats. I explained my situation to them, but this time the rescue was willing to work with me! They let me look on their website to see which of the cats I was interested in. I chose a purebred Persian cat that was available (I used to breed and show Persian cats, and had a Grand Champion with the American Cat Fancier’s Association – ACFA). I know how to take care of a Persian cat! He had been a victim of the greed and neglect of unscrupulous people. He was blind, his fur had been matted when he first arrived at the rescue, and his ear was damaged by a bad prior untreated ear infection. This rescue specializes in rescuing cats with disabilities. This was exactly what I wanted to do…rescue a cat with a disability!
The rescue arranged for a Zoom conference with me, the Adoption Counselor, the cat’s caretaker, and the kitty. It was wonderful! I was able to ask questions and watch him play (he is very playful). I told them that he was the one I wanted. They arranged to bring him to my home in 3 days. I was counting the hours! He arrived and settled in. He is the most beautiful cat I have ever owned. He does so many things…he plays with toys, jumps up and down from cat furniture, shelves, etc. And most of all, he is loving and sweet. He loves his new home.
Because I am a person with a disability, and my doctor has issued a note authorizing me to have Emotional Support Animals (ESA)…he is an ESA now, under the Fair Housing Act. He is recognized as such by my apartment landlord, and I am not required to pay pet fees. My next door neighbor even has an Emotional Support Pig!
If you are a person with a disability, I encourage you also to request an accommodation from a business, if it is not accessible to you. Usually, they are required to do this under the ADA…that you will have equal access to what they do. Don’t give up!
If you would like more information on Emotional Support Animals (or Service Animals) and adopting them, or requesting accommodations, contact the ILCSC at ilcsc@ilcsc.org
