Registration for Service Dogs in the US
I know this may seem strange, and it’s a common misconception, but legitimate registration for service dogs in the US does not exist.
Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
and the Department of Justice, service dogs are not required to be registered or certified. A legitimate federal registration and/or certification agency for service animals or service dogs just doesn’t exist.
You may have seen websites online that sell service dog certifications, registrations, and other service dog items. Just know that purchasing these items does not turn a dog into a service dog, and are not endorsed by the ADA or Department of Justice, and convey no legal rights.
How To Spot Fake Service Dog Registrations
Basically, every service dog registry website is fraudulent because the identification materials they provide are all not required by law.
However, you can still order service dog apparel through these websites, if you prefer that your service dog be labeled as such, whether it’s to avoid questions or to ensure that your dog not be pet by strangers. Some people choose to have these things because it makes their lives (and their service dog’s lives) easier.
If a website seems like it provides all the legal documentation and certification, then it’s a very well-put-together scam. Since the ADA does not require any kind of identification, spending money on identification that you think you must have for your service dog is unnecessary. You may purchase these items by choice, but no business is allowed to request them.
Even websites with official sounding names and URLs are fake. These websites exist to make money from those who are swindled into believing that they must somehow register or certify their service dog. Watch out for the convincing ones; they may seem official, but it’s usually just a ploy. Don’t waste your $200 on an official looking kit that you don’t need!
Another way that these registration websites are scams is that they offer commonly seen “Service Dog” accessories that make any dog seem like a service dog, even when it is not. People have been known to take advantage of this; those who just want to be able to take their dogs anywhere with them are especially guilty of abusing these fake services.
It is against the law to claim that your pet dog is a service dog when it is not, but really, these laws are difficult to enforce due to the complexity of the laws protecting the disabled from having to be harassed.
Spotting the Fakes Just like Service Animals! There’s No Such thing Legitimate Emotional Support Animal Registration
In the same way that the online services offering to certify or register service animals aren’t real or recognized by the ADA, neither are those that offer this service for emotional support animals. Don’t waste your money on these services, as they are not recognized in any way, and you might find yourself having to make some last-minute living or travel rearrangements.