Emotional Support Parrots

M

Merlee

Banned
Banned
Jul 25, 2012
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Emotional Support Animals

I was on another forum and somebody listed a 12-13 week old scarlet macaw to be rehomed because his apartment complex would not allow him to keep it. Further down in the thread it was posted that the owner is trying to get the bird classified as an emotional support animal by his physician. I had always thought only dogs were "service" animals so this was an eye opener. There are no guidelines as to which animals may be used for emotional support. I was thinking rabbit, canary, cat, gerbil, etc., because of size and noise level would be considered, but nope.

I looked up the federal laws on emotional support animals and there is no description outlining what an emotional support animal could be. I would like to have a cordial discussion on this topic because I have never seen this discussed anywhere.

I am providing a link to give you information on this topic.

http://nsarco.com/knowyourrights.html

Now, I am all for service animals, but I was wondering what you thought about a macaw being used as an emotional support animal in an apartment complex. Please be sure to have read the very last section at the bottom of the cage.

What do you think?
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

Maybe he needs emotional support, I don't know the person, but someone should tell him that a Macaw in an apartment is not suitable for the Macaw unless it is a HUGE place! It is the Macaw that is really going to need mental support down the road if not!
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

I don't think the size of the apartment has anything to do with it. A macaw doesn't have to have a 3k ft house to be well adjusted, but it doesn't seem fair to the neighbors.
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

thekarens said:
I don't think the size of the apartment has anything to do with it. A macaw doesn't have to have a 3k ft house to be well adjusted, but it doesn't seem fair to the neighbors.
Click to expand...

Yes it does matter. You need to be able to accommodate a large cage for a Macaw! Even clipped, he needs some room for exercise and be able to at least "glide" which require enough room to do so (their wing span is big). Macaw size items like play Gyms, toys etc. are pretty big too.
An exception would be that the person is home often and brings the Macaw outdoors for flight (harness) and exercise daily.
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

thekarens said:
I don't think the size of the apartment has anything to do with it. A macaw doesn't have to have a 3k ft house to be well adjusted, but it doesn't seem fair to the neighbors.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, the neighbors well being didn't even cross my mind, the Macaw in an apartment is a very sad thought as the majority of bird owners are ill equipped to do so!
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

I had a greenwing so I'm perfectly aware of their size, but without knowing the size of the apartment and location/situation it doesn't seem reasonable to jump straight to that the macaw will be ruined by living in an apt.
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

As per the link you provided, Denise, I think a macaw in an apartment (let's assume the apartment is huge) CAN be asked to be removed due to noise factor. The article used barking dogs during a movie as an example.

Macaws CAN be very loud, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. They "may" be perfectly quiet one day, and decide to let lose the next. How fair is it to adjoining apartment dwellers?

ESAs or not, folks SHOULD consider their living arrangements before acquiring any animal for that purpose.
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

I think in this case, if he specifcally wants a parrot as an emotional support animal then he should've chosen a species that is acceptable in an apartment complex. A macaw is not a suitable choice for living in an apartment complex.
 
Re: Emotional Support Animals

I think it's awesome that the macaw can be an emotional support animal, but I agree that the neighbors will get upset, and the apartment owners will surely lose business as a result.
 
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Re: Emotional Support Animals

I am not sure if that last paragraph pertains to a business or a home. If it pertains to both, then the bird owner is setting himself for a fall because it may be cute and quiet now at 12-13 weeks, what will happen down the road when it is screaming in the morning and evening when it's mature even if he has the right to own an emotional support animal? Interesting dilemma for the tenant and the landlord.

The thing is, if one person can get this approved, what is going to keep others from following suit? This sure opens a big can of worms!
 
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Re: Emotional Support Animals

Virtually any pet can be an ESA, but a Service Animal can only be a dog. ADA (American Disabailities Act) covers Service Animal and the human must have a documented covered disability. FHA (Fair Housing Act) covers Emotional Support Animals. The difference is important.

The landlord would have to make a fair and reasonable accommodation under FHA if tenant has appropriate documentation to prove that s/he has a disability and the bird is deemed an ESA for that person. If the ESA becomes a "nuisance" to others there, it could be grounds to ask tenant to remove ESA because it would not longer be a "reasonable" accommodation if neighbors are being disturbed. But, let's say the tenant could soundproof his apt with permission from landlord, then it would be reasonable.

Best advice, pick the right type, size, number of animals (and humans) to live in the kind of space you will be in, or plan for.
 
For anyone who has a Support animal/or who knows someone with, or whoever wants to comment

Does anyone know the most common companion parrot (i only heard of African Greys so far)? And what is the cost of a companion animal in general-like once you get a valid disability does a company or organization pay for your animal? The only thing involving cost is that once your pet is licensed for support the boarding fees for planes are free. And bringing up planes, would you be able to get your pet from a different state-and would someone need to be on the flight?


I don't know if theres any threads on this, so hopefully this isn't a repost and I'm not entirely sure how I should word it to search on google. I am really sorry for so much questions.
 
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I hope you are able to get what you need...but I think a parrot is 100% not suited to being a support animal. They are not mammals and seem to have a different sort of empathy with their people. They feed off our emotions. When I feel stressed or anxious, my birds do too and that's when they are more likely to bite. My dogs and cats will comfort me instead.

If you need a support animal and I think those are great, a mammal is a FAR superior choice for that job IMHO.
 
Never heard of an organization giving away emotional support parrots.

While parrots are fairly empathic, they are also a ton of work, and often NEED emotional support from their humans, not the other way around. With a parrot it's a two way street.

They may also bite, which is not exactly emotionally supportive...

Sorry for your loss.
 
Phlox said:
I hope you are able to get what you need...but I think a parrot is 100% not suited to being a support animal. They are not mammals and seem to have a different sort of empathy with their people. They feed off our emotions. When I feel stressed or anxious, my birds do too and that's when they are more likely to bite. My dogs and cats will comfort me instead.

If you need a support animal and I think those are great, a mammal is a FAR superior choice for that job IMHO.
Click to expand...

I had thoughts about a mammal, my choices would probably be a cat or a dog however which is more than likely undoable since we have "issue" dogs. Our terrier is okay with dogs, but our Boston gets extreme anxiety from dogs (my own conclusion is that other dogs were competition because he was found on the streets). And both are too energetic around people (more so the terrier who can turn violent in seconds) which is dangerous because they both bite when excited.
I don't know how a cat would be in this situation, Ive really wanted one before--an exotic shorthair, but the dogs haven't been introduced to one yet. And I don't want to stress my parakeets out by adding another predatory animal into the house.

But Im taking your opinion and I'll be thinking of all other types of animals. I was also unaware of them feeding off our emotions, I just thought they mostly reflect on the household they're in (noisy/calm ect). So i'll be trying to kick back the stress levels for my 'keets
 
To be frank, it doesn't sound like your household should have any more animals right now, with dogs described like that. If you need emotional support, I'd suggest seeking some therapy instead of something that will likely throw a delicate situation into disarray. Maybe take your existing dogs for training. They have shown that helping train dogs with issues has helped people with issues (look up stuff about prisoners working with dogs, etc.)
 
Birdman666 said:
Never heard of an organization giving away emotional support parrots.

While parrots are fairly empathic, they are also a ton of work, and often NEED emotional support from their humans, not the other way around. With a parrot it's a two way street.

They may also bite, which is not exactly emotionally supportive...

Sorry for your loss.
Click to expand...

I was just kind of thinking there was an organization connecting to those situations lol (not the brightest atm).
And I thought of parrots because of the tedious work. I've been trying everything to distract myself, which was mostly cleaning the house. It's also really comforting knowing that I am caring for something again, which is why I have plants but I don't have a green thumb.

As for the biting, I have thick skin for the most part, but I'll always take my chances, I respect that thats a natural part of a birds behavior. I'd make sure I can stop that just to clarify.
 
Phlox said:
To be frank, it doesn't sound like your household should have any more animals right now, with dogs described like that. If you need emotional support, I'd suggest seeking some therapy instead of something that will likely throw a delicate situation into disarray. Maybe take your existing dogs for training. They have shown that helping train dogs with issues has helped people with issues (look up stuff about prisoners working with dogs, etc.)
Click to expand...

I really agree, its a small house full of animal loving people :/ .

I've suggested that MANY times to their legal owners (they're paperwork has my brothers and my moms name on it) but he's really stubborn.
I'd really love to work with them, because they are good dogs for the most part but its really not on my hands.

My last choice is to take therapy as you insisted, but I'm just afraid of having people see me..as well as having to bring it up.
 
If you are afraid of people seeing you at therapy, you can't get a support animal. Those are only given to people in therapy.
 
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