Article: If your landlord refuses to accept your cat, you may be able to have your cat certified as an emotional support animal. An emotional support animal is an animal that provides therapy to people with psychological disabilities. Under United States law, landlords are required to allow tenants to have emotional support animals. To have your cat classified as an emotional support animal, you’ll have to have your doctor, psychiatrist, or a mental health professional certify that the pet is necessary to your mental health. Read your lease very carefully to see if there is a legal way you can have your cat live with you. If your lease doesn't prohibit pets (or cats), you may have the legal right to keep your cat with you. Remember, even if your lease says you can have a cat (or does not forbid you from having one) you still need to maintain a positive relationship with your landlord. Continue to work to convince them. After you’ve signed a lease that forbids a pet cat and appealed to your landlord to accept the cat, your only recourse will be a lawyer. Your lawyer might be able to find a legal way to require your landlord to accept your cat. If not, they may be able to help you mediate with the landlord so you can both come to a compromise about your cat and your living situation.  Contact a lawyer in your community or a tenant advocacy group near you. Know the law of your city, state or country. Depending on where you live, tenants may have more rights than they know.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Have your cat certified as an emotional support animal. Scrutinize your lease. Look for legal advice.