Written by Forrest Jensen, Fall 2023 Badger Volunteer

Pets and emotional support animals are important to us because of the comfort, companionship and sense of purpose that they bring into our lives. 

What is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a domesticated animal that helps an individual with mental or emotional support through companionship. ESA’s are used for individuals who have a disability or a medical condition, including mental health issues such as PTSD or anxiety. 

Having an emotional support animal is not the same as having a pet. If the building you live in does not allow pets, you are still legally allowed to have an ESA. There are no fees for having an ESA, and there are no breed or weight restrictions. 

An emotional support animal is not a service animal. ESA’s do not receive specialized training. The animal’s main purpose is to provide emotional support to their owner. The only way to have a pet certified as an emotional support animal is to get a letter from a licensed health professional.

Once you have an ESA letter, your animal is an approved ESA. In order to have it approved with a landlord, all you are legally required to provide is a confirmation of your disability and confirmation that the ESA is used to treat the disability. The ESA letter is the confirmation that the ESA treats the disability.

For more information on your rights to own an emotional support animal, check out this article from the Tenant Resource Center.

Pet Resources Around Madison

WisCARES

They provide free to low cost veterinary care, depending on your situation. 

In case of homelessness or in-patient care, WisCARES provides foster care (temporary care of pets up to 90 days) and boarding (cats stay at kennel for up to 2 weeks).

There is also a pet pantry that includes pet food, cat litter, and other pet supplies. You must be a current client to use the pantry, but you can check their website to see if you are eligible. 

Madison Cat Project 

The Madison Cat Project maintains a cat cupboard that offers cat food and supplies. 

If you can’t care for your cat anymore, they also provide surrendering of cats. (Although keep in mind they cannot guarantee they will be able to take every cat.) 

Wisconsin Community Veterinary Care 

Wisconsin Community Veterinary Care is a “full service, non-profit, veterinary clinic.” They offer a variety of low-cost services for cats and dogs. Their services range from spay and neuter to special surgeries. 

Pets for Life 

Dane County Humane Society’s Pets for Life (PFL) program provides resources to those who live in the 53713 zip code or in the Allied Drive neighborhood. 

They can provide free vet wellness care and other services like spay and neuter. 

PFL also offers free pet supplies and information. 

Food Pantries that provide pet food

• Ridgeway Mobile Food Pantry
• Lussier Community Education Center (LCEC) Food Pantry
• St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
• Neighborhood House Food Pantry
• Rimrock Route Mobile Food Pantry
• Bridge Lakepoint Mobile Food Pantry
• St. Stephen’s Monona Food Pantry
• Fritz Food Pantry
• SJC’s Pantry provides pet supplies when available.

Online Resources 

Waggle is a non-profit, crowdfunding website specifically for paying veterinary bills. 

Home to Home offers a temporary fostering program for pets. 

911 Foster Pets is a website to find and post pets in need of fostering. 

Want to Connect with Animals But Don’t Have a Pet? 

Guardian Whiskers Reading Programs

Guardian Whiskers offers both Book Buddies, a program for kids to read to dogs, and Kiddos and Kitties, a program for kids to read to cats! 

Heartland Farm Sanctuary

Located in Stoughton, Heartland Farm Sanctuary offers rescue, care, rehabilitation services, and lifetime sanctuary to farm animals in need. They also offer humane education programs, such as classes and summer camp for kids, and experiential therapy for children/teens. People of all ages can visit the sanctuary but you must book a visit before dropping by, click here to learn more.

Henry Vilas Zoo

The Henry Vilas Zoo is a free zoo that features over 650 animals, including the Tropical Rainforest Aviary, a room full of birds flying right over visitors.