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Emotional Support Animal Nevada: Laws And Regulations 2023
Updated on
- Written by Paige Anderson, CRDH
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Maya Frankfurt, PhD
Emotional support animals can be amazingly helpful for a variety of mental disorders and emotional disabilities including anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While federal law does provide some protection for people with emotional support animals, it’s important to know the specific rules for where you live.
If you are interested in adopting an emotional support animal in Nevada, this article will give you a few important things to consider and review some Nevada emotional support animal laws.
Emotional Support Animals Nevada: The Laws
- Emotional support animals in Nevada enjoy protections under federal law including the Fair Housing Act[1].
- Nevada law bans the possession of specific animals, and emotional support animal (ESA) laws do not provide special accommodation to own banned pets.
- A valid ESA letter can ensure you have reasonable accommodation under the law.
- There are many great animal rescues in Nevada where you can find an emotional support animal to adopt.
- Nevada also has many great pet friendly places to take your ESA for fun and relaxation!
Nevada Emotional Support Animal Laws You Should Know
Some Nevada Laws Limit How Many Animals You Can Have
Some people feel that they would benefit from multiple emotional support animals. Provided you have sufficient resources to dedicate to their needs, adopting multiple pets may be beneficial.
However, Nevada law limits the number of pets[2] you can have without a special permit. For example, you may own no more than three dogs and three cats at one residence.
ESA Laws For Travel
The Air Carrier Access Act guarantees travel access for certain animals. Although it once included ESAs, the policy was changed in 2021 and since then ESA’s are no longer guaranteed access to transport on airplanes under the law.
Similarly, ESAs are not guaranteed full and equal access to public transportation on trains, buses, or subways in Nevada. They are subject to the same laws as pets.
Service animals including psychiatric service dogs are still guaranteed access to public transportation.
ESA Housing Laws
Emotional support animal Nevada rental laws fall under the umbrella of the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), which applies equally in Nevada as in all U.S. states.
Housing providers must give reasonable accommodation to ESAs under the law. Even if a lease or rental agreement disallows pets, the FHA prevents landlords from refusing accommodation to an ESA owner in most cases.
It is worth noting that the law requires landlords to comply with a reasonable request to have your ESA. However, it may not be possible to keep large animals like horses (even miniature horses) in many homes, as they require special housing facilities.
An official ESA letter documenting the tenant’s disability can help ensure your right to live with your animal. A valid ESA letter also prevents your landlord from charging pet fees for your ESA.
However, public accommodations such as hotels are not required to admit emotional support animals.
What Animals Are Allowed In Nevada
Unlike service animals, emotional support animals are considered pets. As such, they are subject to the same limitations as other pets in terms of what animals are allowed or banned.
Nevada law[3] allows possession of many animals, but does ban some that are permitted in other states. For example, while fennec foxes are permitted in many U.S. states, Nevada bans the possession of any type of fox.
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What Is An Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An emotional support animal (ESA) can provide comfort for a wide range of qualifying mental and emotional disabilities including depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, autism, and even attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Service animals and psychiatric service dogs receive specialized training to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability. ESAs, on the other hand, are considered pets and don’t perform tasks related to your disability, but provide valuable comfort and support.
Unlike service animals, ESAs are not guaranteed access to all public spaces. However, federal laws ensure fair housing for people with an ESA.
Getting A Legitimate ESA Letter In Nevada
Fill In An Assessment
ESA letters provide documentation to people with qualifying emotional or mental conditions. An initial screening test is often the first step to help you determine whether you qualify for an emotional support animal.
Meet A Therapist
A licensed mental health professional can prescribe an emotional support animal if you have a qualifying need. They can also help you properly document your need for an ESA, should you choose to adopt one.
Your mental health professional may also help you determine whether a psychiatric service dog or other service animal may give you better support for your specific needs.
Document Your Animal With A Valid ESA Letter
If you’re looking for an emotional support animal Nevada registration, an ESA letter will properly document that a licensed mental health professional has prescribed an animal to help you cope with a qualifying disability related to an emotional or mental condition.
It’s essential to be sure your ESA letter fulfills the legal requirements, so find a reputable service or healthcare provider to help.
Where To Adopt An Emotional Support Animal In Nevada
Hearts Alive Village
Hearts Alive Village is an animal rescue that connects people with a variety of animals including dogs, cats, and barnyard animals, making them a great place to find support animals in Nevada. They also provide lower cost veterinary care so you can keep your ESA in peak health!
Nevada SPCA
If you’re considering adopting a rescue as an emotional support animal in Nevada, consider the SPCA as a great place to start. With plenty of adoptable dogs and cats, you can find the perfect companion and get affordable microchipping and vaccinations.
Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue
There are several breed-specific rescues in Nevada including the Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue. If you want a particular type of dog, cat, or other animal, consider breed-specific rescues!
The Animal Foundation
Founded in 1978, the Animal Foundation has placed thousands of animals in happy furever homes, and offers a low-cost clinic to keep your ESA healthy and happy!
Habitat For Horses
If you are looking for bigger support, there are horse and livestock rescues in several areas of Nevada. Habitat for Horses is a non-profit rescue with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome homeless, neglected, and abused horses and donkeys.
Places In Nevada To Take Your Emotional Support Animal
Virginia Lake Dog Park
For Reno residents, the Virginia Lake dog park gives your pup a great place to romp near scenic Virginia Lake!
Fletcher Canyon Trail
This gorgeous canyon trail accommodates both horses and dogs. Bonus points for getting out in nature for a walk[4], which can also improve mental health!
Clark County Dog Fancier’s Park
With five separate fenced-in runs, each with a water source, this dog park is open 24 hours so you can escape the Las Vegas heat in cooler evening hour romps with your pooch.
Grape Vine Cafe
Eating out can sometimes be a high-tension experience for people with a mental disability. Finding pet-friendly dining options is a great way to keep your ESA with you while you enjoy an evening out. Grape Vine Cafe in Las Vegas, for example, is a dog-friendly place to get a great meal!
Nevada Beach Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a popular getaway destination. It also boasts several popular dog-friendly beaches where your ESA can enjoy a dip. Nevada Beach is just one of many!
Conclusion
Emotional support animals can provide significant comfort and support for a variety of disabilities including depression, anxiety, autism, and PTSD.
Unlike a service animal or psychiatric service dog, emotional support animals are not specially trained to perform tasks for a disabled person. As such, the law generally considers them as pets and they are not entitled access to all public spaces like a service animal would be.
However, emotional support animal laws help to ensure that housing providers give reasonable accommodation on a lease or rental agreement. To ensure you are guaranteed rights to live with your ESA without being subject to pet fees, be sure you have an official ESA letter from a reputable source.
In general, Nevada’s laws follow federal laws that apply to ESAs, although there are restrictions on how many animals you can have and certain types of animals are not permissible as pets.
Fortunately, Nevada also boasts many pet-friendly places where you and your ESA can enjoy exercising, relaxing, and even dining out together!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! ESAs enjoy the same protection under the Fair Housing Act in Nevada as in the rest of the country.
Nevada bans ownership of specific animals such as foxes and raccoons among others, and limits how many pets you can own. Since ESAs are considered pets, these laws do apply to ESAs in Nevada.
Nevada has several pet and equine rescues with amazing adoptable animals!
There are many great horse trails throughout the state of Nevada where you can ride and enjoy exercise with your equine companion in Nevada!
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- Justice.gov. (2015). The Fair Housing Act. [online] Available at: https://www.justice.gov/crt/fair-housing-act-1#:~:text=The%20Fair%20Housing%20Act%20prohibits,as%20a%20places%20of%20worship.
- Clarkcountynv.gov. (2015). Clark County, NV. [online] Available at: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/animal_protection_services/faqs.php#:~:text=No%20more%20than%20three%20dogs,one%20residence%20without%20a%20permit.&text=Contact%20Clark%20County%20Animal%20Protection,about%20the%20online%20permitting%20process.
- Nv.gov. (2019). Import Requirements. [online] Available at: https://agri.nv.gov/Animals/Animal_Disease/Import_Requirements/
- Grassini, S. (2022). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature Walk as an Intervention for Anxiety and Depression. [online] 11(6), pp.1731–1731. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11061731.
Written by:
Paige Anderson, CRDH
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
