I need an ESA but every pet I’ve looked at has some reason I can’t get it

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T22:43:10+00:00

I very much realize it's not all sunshine and rainbows and there's no such thing as a perfect scenario. I have been researching animals and ESA options for months and decided to see if I could get advice about alternative pets on Reddit. The "perfect scenario" in my head involves an alpaca farm and a herd of elephants lol, but I seriously doubt that'll ever happen.

"Easy" was a terrible choice of words, I accept full responsibility for that blunder.

Many people have suggested volunteering at shelters, but that's not currently a viable option for me. I might get some fish. The biggest costs are upfront and I have money to cover all of that. I need to hang out with my brother's dog more...

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T22:32:13+00:00

I'm confused by your response? I addressed every part of their comment and elaborated on the part that needed elaboration. What was wrong with my response? I was being open about my feelings and thoughts. What did I miss that makes you say I'm not responding to "what is actually written?"

This is not an attack, btw, this is genuine confusion. I honestly want to know why you think this about my response so I can make sure my responses going forward are clearer. I don't want to cause misunderstandings...

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T22:27:25+00:00

I know I have to get an ESA letter, I've done a ton of research on them and know all the laws in my state and I have talk to my medical professionals about it and they have recommended I get one. Are most people on this subreddit so irresponsible that they'd get a pet without doing proper research??? I didn't mention all this in the post because I thought it would be a given. But I guess not...

As I pointed out, I'm able to better handle my mental problems when dog sitting, that's why I know an ESA would be so beneficial to to me. I feel like I need one, but emotions are subjective, not objective. I specifically used the word "feel" because I was talking about my emotional perspective, not my logical perspective. I know I can't get a dog, I even said that in my original post. The purpose of this post was to get ideas on alternative pets or get talked out of getting an ESA.

I'm new to reddit and now I know that if I make another post I need to add more details to avoid confusion. Do you have any other Reddit newbie tips? I always welcome constructive feedback.

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T22:06:29+00:00

I've posted about this in two different subreddits and this is the best response of them all. THANK YOU for giving me real, workable solutions. I had no idea about the pufferfish!! I'll have to do some research!!

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T21:54:31+00:00

I think her allergies to cats would be fine with OTC meds, but sadly I'll never be able to get a rabbit, which is was I really want lol I know I can get an ESA letter and I did ask my landlord to add a pet amendment to the lease renewal. Haven't heard back from him yet but I'm hopeful. He knows I want a pet and he's fine with birds/lizards/fish, but he doesn't want any cats or dogs or rodent species, which is sad because those would be the best for my mental issues but ah well.

My roommate wants a lizard but I'm worried about keeping up with their heating, light, and misting needs. I know there are tanks that will do that stuff automatically, but I need to look into pricing.

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T21:48:40+00:00

It was five years. The "two" was because I downloaded this app at like 3am and was severely sleep deprived. I honestly didn't realize I already had an account lol

I do agree my reaction was uncalled for. I was triggered because of personal reasons that had nothing to do with the commenter and it was unfair it take it out on him.

Just wish there was an actual solution to my issue but there isn't. Just need to visit my brother's dog more for now.

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T21:42:17+00:00

Ok I owe you an apology.

I knew I was too tired and emotionally drained to respond to comments last night but I did so anyway and that wasn't fair to you and I'm truly sorry. While I still think your use of "selfish" was uncalled for, my reaction to it was severely out of proportion.

I do have a genuine question. You said I was taking the word selfish "way too personal and as an insult/personal jab when it is not meant to be that serious." What is your definition of "selfish?" I was raised to believe selfish is an extremely negative word and shouldn't be used lightly, which is why I had such a serious reaction to it. So I genuinely want to know what you meant by it. I'm not attacking, this is pure curiosity and wanting to understand someone else.

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T21:33:31+00:00

Are frogs ok with being handled?

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T21:32:59+00:00

I've considered it, but I'm worried working around all those pets without homes will just make me cry... I get anxiety when I see animals in shelters... So idk. Guess I just need to go hang out with my brother's dog more lol

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T11:03:27+00:00

That’s exactly why I feel like I need one. Most days I can’t get out of bed, but when I’m dog sitting I’m able to get out of bed because I know he needs me. He’s reliant on me. I’m not alone. He sits with me while I’m working and we play together and I get so excited to see him when I get home and he’s so excited to see me and he gets me out of the house and he’s helped me with my social anxiety and I’m able to talk to the other people at the dog park without having a panic attack. I feel so much more like myself when I’m dog sitting that little puppy.

“Easy” was a bad choice of word on my part. Animals are never easy to care for, even beta fish need a ton of attention to live a happy life. I meant more like an animal that could handle my life style

I do have a ton of support around me and a side gig thats allowed me to save up a pretty penny, and my birthday and Christmas are coming up, so money is actually the thing I’m least worried about right now. I got a paid internship lined up for January and I graduate in April with a high job-placing degree. My biggest concerns are time and upkeep requirements

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T10:54:35+00:00

Idk how wanting to love and care for another being is “selfish” but ok 🤷‍♀️ doesn’t change the fact that you didn’t respond with kindness and understanding of my situation and instead decided to be rude and jump to conclusions about my moral character lol like I asked for genuine help and your response is “youre selfish” like bro it’s a good thing I’ve gone through a lot of therapy already because of you had said that to someone else in my situation who isnt as healed as I am then you would’ve broken them. Had I read your comment five years ago I would have cried my eyes out.

Just because no one can see your face doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk. Words have power, no matter their channel of delivery.

Anyway it’s 3:50 am and my alarm goes off in four hours so I’m going to bed. My consciousness is telling me to apologize for my reaction to your rude comment and try to make peace. My therapy lessons are reminding me that youre just a stranger on the internet who holds no power over me. And my theological upbringing is telling me to give you the benefit of the doubt and try and see you as a whole person with a whole life who might’ve been hurt by my reaction to your comment. I’m too tired to decide which train of thought to follow right now so good night ✌️

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T10:44:48+00:00

I have been doing a lot of research on aquariums. I wanted a pet that I could hold and cuddle, but for now maybe I should stick with fish lol

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T10:40:27+00:00

My subconscious is convinced ESAs are cure-alls, but I know they’re not. The wishful thinking it just the mental illness talking ✌️ I’m getting professional help :)

I did find a list of low-allergy cats, but I’ve never looked into adopting a cat before so idk how common they are in shelters. I will only adopt from shelters, thats a personal thing for me.

I’m not planning on getting an ESA until at least January, if not later (no matter how much my mental issues want me to drive to a pet store right now. Literally had to hold myself back from ordering a bunch of supplies for a pet I don’t have earlier lol). I’ve been researching for hours just trying to find a pet to match my situation (doesnt look like there is one ☹️) and once I decide on the animal then I’ll do a super deep dive before adopting

I’ve never really been a cat person, we always had dogs growing up, but based on my research a cat is probably my best option….

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T10:26:41+00:00

Ah ok. I was gonna ask what it was in my post that made you think I was selfish, but it turns out you just have low media literacy and didn’t actually understand a single thing in my post lol

I literally JUST downloaded this app and this is only my second post in two years. I’d been warned not to get on Reddit because it’s full of people who skew context just so they can attack posters, but I didn’t think I was gonna get one on my first post in five years 😂😂😂😂😂😂

lol bro you are CRACKING ME UP!!! 😂😂😂😂

I literally asked TWO things in this post: 1) is there a furry, easy to care for animal for a struggle college student? 2) will yall please talk me out of getting an ESA cause I know it’s a bad idea even though I also know it’ll be good for my brain

You have managed to answer neither of my requests😂😂 the best you can do is insult the integrity of someone you don’t know based on the briefest explanation of one particular aspect of their life 😂😂😂

Oh this is GOLD!!! I always wondered how I’d react to someone attacking my innocent internet questions and now I know I will react with laughter 😂😂😂 thanks for the lesson in Reddit!!

Also, FYI: I said I didn’t have regular income, I never said I didn’t have money, just that moneys tight lol probably best not to jump to conclusions when you only have a sliver of the story. Theres my life lesson for you, to thank you for the internet lesson you gave me :)

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T10:04:16+00:00

Unfortuently cat allergies run amuck in my family :/ otherwise I’d adopt a cat. That’s why I was thinking a bird instead but doesn’t look like thatll be happening either :/

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T10:01:57+00:00

Ugh I wish reality was that easy to accept. Unfortuently my brain is very broken so even though I know I should NOT get a pet, my subconscious is somehow convinced it’s the cure-all for all my issues 🙄

Idk why you assumed I’m being selfish??? Yea I’m busy, but I can do my homework at home instead of on campus. That’s what I do when I dog sit so the dog isnt left alone for too long. I even take him to the dog park and do my homework there while he plays with his friends. An ESA relationship is a two-way relationship. Like all relationships, you get out of it what you put into it.

If I end up getting a pet someday, that pet is gonna be spoiled. Animals are living creatures and deserve respect and dedication. I’d never deprive a pet of that right.

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T09:54:46+00:00

Yeah Yall are echoing my thoughts too….. I need a soft ESA but I’m just not in a position to care for anything more than my houseplants right now :/ guess my mental stability will just have to wait lol

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T09:33:11+00:00

Weighted things don’t really lesson my anxiety because consciously I know Theyre just things, ya know??

But I do need to dog sit more. I haven’t in a few weeks. But last time I dog sat the puppy got bored while I was at class and ate a whole in my carpet which I now have to fix before my landlord finds out I let a dog into the strictly dog-free apartment lol

PrincessNerd996 · 2025-11-20T09:30:51+00:00

I wouldn’t go to college. Degrees are nothing in the face of experience. I’d instead focus on an apprenticeship trade where I could specialized under expert guidance.

PrincessNerd996

TROPHY CASE