Live in Apartment / ESA?

[TheRealPMA]

I wished I could engage more with animals, and I am guessing where I live is an issue because it is not very convenient, or permitted without getting an Emotional Support Animal, in our building. It also does not help that I do not live alone.

But even after all that, I'd still like to try in the near future. As for the question in the title goes..

How risky would it be to get an emotional support animal and engage in activities with him? Are there any required routine checks you gotta perform on your dog by law due to it being an ESA? Idk, it just sounds riskier when it is not a dog you bought. Adoption can also fall in the risky category I suppose.

 

[Daedalus]

I would think all of those, both the 'ESA' dog and the adopted dog, are going to be neutered anyway. As a zoo your options are limited for finding intact animals these days. Most go the breeder route, but ethically that never sat right with me, so I pull adult intact rehomes when I find good ones in breed mixes that I like. Also, you really want to get your life in order enough such that you have your own place -- one with a much better, open, pet friendly policy. Not a place that's forcing you to lie about therapy dog status just to have him at all. I can't imagine rooming with a nonzoo and trying to keep this contained, with an intact dog, in a place that doesn't otherwise allow dogs. You're courting disaster. Privacy and freedom are important.