Yes you can pay on line to have your animal registered as a service animal but the landlord can require proof from a doctor that states that you need a service animal and why you need the service animal so this is how landlords get around tricky residents.

That kind of person makes me see red and do ALL CAPS BOLD DIATRIBES on the internet and accusing debates in person. I try to hold it together, but Rage-Peri is not always pretty. That is exactly the kind of attitude that makes so many people blase about actual service animals and support animals who actually do provide a necessary function to their owners.

I don't like that type of abuse of the system, so to speak.

I have a friend who registered her pit bull as a service dog to keep him in her condo. She has mentioned to me that I could do the same if ever I needed to move and the landlord would not allow my animals. It is not something I would do - I don't like that type of dishonesty.

It is hard, as a renter, to find anywhere that will take dogs. DH and I are fortunate that we found the perfect dog friendly apartment home (this adds to my anxiety during these tough financial times - because I know we need to be able to stay here until we buy, it would be basically a miracle to find a rental that took both dogs). I do wish there were more options for renters who own pets. That being said, I understand the risk of renting to someone with dogs - you simply don't know if the dog is a chewer who will inflict a ton of damage, and dander can linger and cause allergy problems for subsequent tenants, it is just overall a big liability for the landlord.

I think as pet owners we have to go into it understanding these facts of life instead of being dishonest and trying to skirt around the issue. Service dogs serve a legitimate purpose, they are trained, distinct and separate from a "regular" pet. I am even on the fence about registering service dogs for anxiety issues (I am not including PTSD issues, for instance an army veteran) ... I just think it is a slippery slope.

My brother went online and made his dog a "service" animal so he can take it with him to hotels.

It's s different in my country. You can only buy a service dog from a specific registered association. You cannot have them registered or train them yourself. They cost a substantial amount of money too.

Immaterial of whether you have a service dog or not, a landlord can and will decline your rental application. Dogs are not permitted in most of our hotels too.

Ahhh yes users and abusers, fakers, liars and scammers. Its what they do in their lives in various ways and service animals are not exempt.

True Service Animals play a necessary role is so many lives. The thing of it is a real service dog who graduated the lengthy school does not need a special vest.

Yes anyone can fake it and spend 20bucks for the cheap false identifiable crap. OR they can weasel their way out of hotel fees, rental deposits ect. Some folks do nothing but chase down letter after letter from doctors stupid enough to write a letter for them.

I hate liars and manipulators..........their gonna get caught.

What bothers me is that I have kids with allergies. Why do I have to watch my daughter's face look like she got in a fight with Mike Tyson so that a lonely divorcee' can bring poopsie to the market?? Laws and regulations should be stricter on what kind of animals and why they Are in use.

I was at dinner the other night when a couple came in with a Boxer who was wearing a service vest. I hate to admit it, but I always wonder if the dog is a legit service animal when the owner has no outward signs of a disability. However, it was quickly apparent this was a true service dog. He sat under the table next to his owner and never moved. He didn't even lay down.

(I have a friend who is blind and her dog behaves the same way. When she flies the dog squishes in at her feet and doesn't hardly move. In the car, she rides on the floor in the back seat. I offered to let the dog sit on the seat, and she said that she was trained to always sit on the floor.)

As the couple left, I commented on the dog's behavior and called him a "true" service animal. The owner laughed and shook his head and made a comment about "so called service animals." He volunteered that even though his wife didn't like to think about it, the dog would alert when he was going to have an event that could easily kill him. The dog would give them time to summon emergency help.

To try and compare this dog's ability to that of companion animal is ridiculous.

In case it hasn't said. I have been told by good sources only dogs can be real service animals. The kind that are tested and given the correct paper work. Which no you don't have to show but just kind of a fact. ALSO you have to be able to say what service the animal provides. Yes this pisses me off. Partner and I have talked about him training a new dog for himself. He wants to cross train it to be an emotional support animal for me. We have similar issues but very different causes. His is ADA recignized. An emotional support animal is NOT covered or treated the same as a service animal. If people don't stop pulling this crap they will change the laws which will only make it harder for people who really need them to have them. A service animal is considered a medical piece of equipment that can literally save someone's life. Your little poochy you don't want to pay for can't compare.