Is CertaPet Legit? A Full ESA Letter Provider Review (2023)

With the rise in mental and emotional health challenges, emotional support animals (ESAs) have become a common method of seeking support and relief. CertaPet is a company that claims to provide authentic emotional support animal letters (ESA letters) required for travel with an animal and approval for housing with an animal. However, as the demand for ESAs increases, it is crucial to ensure the credibility of service providers before obtaining an ESA letter. 

Understanding Emotional Support Animals and ESA Letters

Before evaluating whether is CertaPet is legit, it's essential to understand the role of emotional support animals and the importance of ESA letters.

What is an Emotional Support Animal?

ESAs provide companionship and emotional support to individuals with mental or emotional disabilities. These animals are not trained to perform specific tasks like service animals but instead offer comfort and a calming presence.

How to Get an ESA Letter

To obtain an ESA letter, an individual must undergo an assessment by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), who determines if they qualify for an ESA based on their mental or emotional disability. If deemed appropriate, the LMHP issues the ESA letter, which should include the LMHP's license number, contact information, and the date of issuance.

What are the Legal Benefits of ESA Letters? 

An ESA letter from a LMHP attests to the need for an ESA because of a person's emotional or mental disability. The letter provides legal protection under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), allowing ESA owners to live with their animals in housing with no-pet policies and travel with their animals in an aircraft cabin, depending on the airline. With the updated revision of the ACAA, only psychiatric service animals and service dogs can accompany their owners on commercial flights. However, some may still accept your ESA with proper documentation. 

CertaPet's Services and Offerings

CertaPet is an emotional support animal letter provider offering ESA letters for qualifying patients. Here's a closer look at their offerings and process:

Services Provided

CertaPet provides ESA and PSD letter consultations. The ESA housing letter enables ESA owners to live with their animals in housing with no-pet policies. In contrast, the PSD travel letter allows them to fly with their animals in an aircraft cabin in addition to housing protection. 

Online Platform

People who want ESA letters are put in touch with licensed mental health professionals through the company's online platform. This approach allows quick, convenient assessments without needing in-person appointments.

Fees and Process

To obtain an ESA letter through CertaPet, individuals must complete an online questionnaire, after which they get connected with a licensed mental health professional for a virtual assessment. The fees for the service range from $149.99 to $199.99, depending on whether the individual needs a housing letter, a travel letter, or both. If approved, the ESA letter is issued and delivered electronically.

CertaPet's Credibility and Compliance

To establish whether CertaPet is a credible ESA letter service, we'll check their conformity with applicable laws and any relevant affiliations or certifications they possess.

Compliance with FHA and ACAA

CertaPet claims to adhere to the requirements of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Their website states that their LMHPs are licensed in the individual's state of residence, which is necessary for an ESA letter to be legally valid.

Affiliations, Certifications, and Partnerships

CertaPet does not list specific affiliations, certifications, or partnerships on its website that would demonstrate its credibility within the ESA letter service industry. This lack of information can make it difficult for potential clients to gauge the company's legitimacy and trustworthiness.

Privacy Policies and Data Protection

CertaPet's privacy policy on its website protects users' personal information. This policy describes the different types of data collected, their usage, and the security measures implemented to protect users' information. This transparency underscores CertaPet's dedication to safeguarding the trust and privacy of its clients.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Reviewing customer feedback is a good way to figure out what kind of service to expect from CertaPet and how reliable it is. 

• Positive Reviews: Many customers report positive experiences with CertaPet, praising the ease and convenience of the online assessment process. Others appreciate the prompt service, noting that they received their ESA Letter within a short time frame.
• Negative Reviews: Some customers have expressed concerns or dissatisfaction with their experience. Common issues include difficulty connecting with licensed mental health professionals, unresponsiveness from customer service, and questions about the validity of the issued ESA Letters.

Comparing CertaPet to Other ESA Letter Providers

To determine if CertaPet is a legitimate and reliable option for obtaining an ESA letter, comparing their services, fees, and credibility to other popular providers in the industry is helpful.

Key Factors to Consider

When choosing an ESA Letter provider, consider factors such as the provider's compliance with relevant laws, affiliations or certifications, fees, customer reviews, and the overall ease of the process.

Comparison to Other Providers

CertaPet's fees are generally within the same range as other popular providers. However, the lack of affiliations, certifications, or partnerships may raise concerns about their credibility. Additionally, mixed customer reviews suggest that the quality of the service might need to be more consistent.

Recommendations

Based on the comparison, individuals seeking an ESA letter should carefully weigh the pros and cons of using CertaPet. While their telemedicine platform and quick service may be appealing, potential customers should also consider the mixed customer reviews and lack of affiliations or certifications as potential red flags.

Why You Should Choose Pettable Instead

Pettable is a reputable service that provides ESA letters, but it emphasizes customer satisfaction more than CertaPet. Thousands of ESA owners can attest to the expert advice and assistance provided by Pettable's. They fully comply with federal and state laws and give the best service regardless of where you live.

Pettable's ESA letters include a money-back guarantee if you do not qualify or if your landlord rejects your letter, providing you with greater peace of mind and security. Pettable also offers psychiatric service dog training and certification, making it an excellent choice for all your personal assistance animal needs.

Final Thoughts

For those seeking an ESA letter, it is crucial to research and assess all available information thoroughly. They should weigh each provider's benefits and drawbacks, consider their specific needs and circumstances, and make an informed decision. 

With this information in mind, CertaPet offers reliable federal and state-compliant ESA letters for housing accommodations. They adhere to legal regulations, work with expert mental health professionals, and possess a solid record of fulfilling customer needs. 

Even though CertaPet has a good track record, Pettable stands out as the best ESA letter service because of its great customer service and expansive network of medical experts.