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Terms & Conditions

Please read carefully before clicking “submit,” or otherwise using this site. When you click “submit,” it means you accept all these terms the same as if you signed this agreement, even if you have not read them.

Terms of use

adaserviceanimals.org is a voluntary registry for those who meet the legal requirements for Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. Registration on our platform is not an official certification or endorsement of the animal’s status under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or any applicable state or federal laws. By accessing and using this website or services, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of the Terms of Use (TOU). Additionally, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of the TOU, if you choose to use any materials with references to adaserviceanimals.org (regardless of their source, i.e., either made by you or purchased from a third party); use any materials we sell or provide on our website (including, but not limited to, identification cards, certificates, patches, animal tags, etc.); or refer to adaserviceanimals.org in any way online or offline. All such terms, guidelines, or rules (including, but not limited to, our Privacy Policy) are hereby incorporated by reference into the TOU. All information on adaserviceanimals.org, including, but not limited to, data and information provided by users and registrants, information provided by adaserviceanimals.org both in online and offline form, shall be referred to as content.

Essential ID for Service Animals

The ADA does not require Service Animals to be certified or registered, but some individuals choose to have their animals registered. Handlers are not required to carry identification or certification documents for their Service Animals. While there is no legal need to offer further identification, you may run into people who are simply unaware of these regulations or do not deal with Service Animals on a regular basis. Simply carrying a certificate or having your animal wear identifying gear makes it easier for everyone. The materials available on our webpage are for convenience only and do not confer any legal status or rights under the ADA or other laws.

Businesses and entities covered by the ADA, such as restaurants, hotels, and stores, are generally not allowed to ask for proof of certification or training for a Service Animal. Be aware that state and local laws may have additional requirements or regulations regarding Service Animals, so check the specific laws in your jurisdiction for a comprehensive understanding of the rules surrounding Service Animals.

Essential ID for Emotional Support Animals

 

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), including dogs, typically require documentation from a licensed mental health professional (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist) primarily for housing purposes under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This letter confirms that the animal is necessary to support a person’s emotional or psychological well-being.

Other Situations Where Documentation May Be Required:

  1. Air Travel:
    As of January 2021, ESAs no longer have automatic access to airplane cabins under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which previously allowed them to fly with their handlers for free. Many airlines now require an ESA letter to ensure travel accommodations for the animal. Additionally, airlines may require this letter to be signed by a licensed mental health professional.

  2. Public Places:
    Unlike service animals, ESAs do not have public access rights under the ADA, so documentation for public access (other than housing or airlines) is not generally required. However, some businesses or establishments may request an ESA letter for entry, though they are not legally obligated to accept it in the same way they would with a service animal.

Start your official Service Animal Registration

You will create a password and account designation upon completing ADAServiceAnimals.org Service’s registration process. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your password or account. You agree to (a) immediately notify ADAServiceAnimals.org of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security, and (b) ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session. ADAServiceAnimals.org cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this Section.

SERVICE ANIMAL AGREEMENT

By registering a Service Animal, you certify and acknowledge the following:

  1. Voluntary Registration:
    You are voluntarily registering your Service Animal with adaserviceanimals.org. This registration provides identification materials to help others identify your Service Animal.
  2. Legal Requirements:
    Your Service Animal has been trained to assist with your disability and meets all legal requirements under applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  3. Compliance with Laws:
    • You understand that federal and local laws governing Service Animals may change and agree to comply with all current regulations.
    • Some airlines may require additional documentation, such as forms signed by a licensed Mental Health Professional, for travel purposes.
  4. Limitations of Service:
    • adaserviceanimals.org does not guarantee that landlords, businesses, or other third parties will comply with laws protecting Service Animals.
    • You agree to hold the organization and its agents harmless from any disputes or denials related to access or privileges for your Service Animal.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL AGREEMENT ​

By registering an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), you certify and acknowledge the following:

  1. Voluntary Registration:
    You are voluntarily registering your ESA with adaserviceanimals.org. This registration provides identification materials to help others identify your ESA.
  2. Documentation:
    You must possess a valid, signed letter from a licensed Mental Health Professional or Physician verifying your need for an ESA. This letter must be renewed annually to maintain your registration.
  3. Legal Requirements:
    Your ESA must meet all legal requirements under applicable housing or travel laws to qualify for privileges, such as access to housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
  4. Compliance with Laws:
    • Federal and local laws governing ESAs may change, and you agree to comply with all current regulations.
    • Airlines may require specific documentation, such as a signed letter from a licensed Mental Health Professional, to permit ESAs in cabins.
  5. Limitations of Service:
    • adaserviceanimals.org does not guarantee that landlords, businesses, or third parties will comply with laws protecting ESAs.
    • You agree to hold the organization and its agents harmless from any disputes or denials related to access or privileges for your ESA.

Your Registration Obligations

It is the responsibility of the registrants and users to understand and obey the law, both online and offline. You also agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current, and complete information about yourself as prompted by ADAserviceanimals.org registration form (the “Registration Data”) and (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Data to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. By submitting contributions to ADAserviceanimals.org through e-mail or survey pages, you acknowledge and agree that: (a) your contributions automatically become the property of ADAserviceanimals.org, without any obligation of ADAserviceanimals.org to you; (b) your contributions do not contain proprietary or confidential information; (c) ADAserviceanimals.org is not under any obligation of confidentiality, express or implied, with respect to them; (d) ADAserviceanimals.org shall be entitled to use or disclose (or not use or disclose) such contributions for any purpose, in any way, in any media worldwide; and (e) you are not entitled to any compensation or reimbursement of any kind from ADAserviceanimals.org under any circumstances.

Termination of Registration

You may terminate your ADAserviceanimals.org account and access to ADAserviceanimals.org services by deleting your registrations form within the Registry using the tools we provide.

You agree that ADAserviceanimals.org may, without prior notice, immediately terminate, limit your access to or suspend your ADAserviceanimals.org account and access to ADAserviceanimals.org services. Cause for such termination, limitation of access, or suspension shall include, but not be limited to: (a) breaches or violations of the TOU or other incorporated agreements or guidelines; (b) requests by law enforcement or other government agencies; (c) discontinuance or material modification to ADAserviceanimals.org services (or any part thereof); (d) unexpected technical or security issues or problems; (e) extended periods of inactivity; and (f) engagement by you in fraudulent or illegal activities including, but not limited to, provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete. Furthermore, you agree that all terminations, limitations of access, and suspensions for cause shall be made in ADAserviceanimals.org sole discretion, and ADAserviceanimals.org shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your account or access to ADAserviceanimals.org services.

Termination of your ADAserviceanimals.org account includes any or all of the following: (a) removal of access to all or part of the offerings within ADAserviceanimals.org; (b) suspension, termination, or invalidation of your registration number; (c) deletion of your password and all related information, files and content associated with or inside your account (or any part thereof); and (d) barring of further use of all or part of ADAserviceanimals.org services. Your registration  fee will not be refunded.

Limitation of Liability

You expressly understand and agree that, except as expressly provided in any other clause of this agreement and to the extent permitted by law, in no event or circumstance ADAserviceanimals.org, its affiliates, volunteers, employees, and partners shall be liable to you for any indirect, direct, consequential, special, incidental, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to mental anguish or suffering, personal injury, loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of potential profits or revenue, economic losses of any kind, loss of business opportunities, loss of business, loss of use of equipment, loss of time, cost of capital, cost of employees, cost of services rental, replacement of goods or equipment, loss of technology or data, loss of services, loss of rights, loss of clientele, loss of goodwill, loss of government benefits, and/or loss of any kind of tangible or intangible damages or losses, hereinafter collectively referred to as “damages” (even if ADAserviceanimals.org has been advised of the possibility of such damages), arising or that may arise from: (a) the use or the inability to use ADAserviceanimals.org service; (b) the cost of procurement of substitute goods and services; (c) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data; (d) statements or conduct of any third party, online or offline; (e) any other matter relating to ADAserviceanimals.org services; and/or, (f) theories of contractual, quasi-contractual, or pre-contractual liability, tort liability (including, but not limited to, fault, negligence, or strict liability) or any other theory of liability. ADAserviceanimals.org liability of any kind will be limited to the actual amount paid by You to ADAserviceanimals.org.

You also acknowledge that part of our objective is to help connect Service and Assistance Dog users with trainers, breeders or any other company that may provide education or other benefits. You agree that your correspondence or business dealings with, or participation in promotions of, advertisers or resources found on or through ADAserviceanimals.org services, including payment and delivery of related goods or services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties, or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and such advertiser, resource or third party. Hence, you agree that ADAserviceanimals.org shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of any such dealings or as the result of the presence of such advertisers or resources found on ADAserviceanimals.org.

ADAserviceanimals.org assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, deletion, mis-delivery, or failure to store any user communications or personalization settings. You are responsible for obtaining access to ADAserviceanimals.org services, and that access may involve third-party fees (such as Internet service provider or airtime charges). You are responsible for those fees, including those fees associated with the display or delivery of advertisements. In addition, you must provide and are responsible for all equipment (i.e. your computer, laptop, or other wireless device) necessary to access ADAserviceanimals.org services.

You understand and agree that ADAserviceanimals.org may include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for ADAserviceanimals.org to provide services. You also understand and agree that ADAserviceanimals.org services may include certain important communications from ADAserviceanimals.org, such as service announcements, administrative messages, and other informational updates, and that these communications are considered part of ADAserviceanimals.org membership and you will not be able to opt out of receiving them. Unless

explicitly stated otherwise, any new features that augment or enhance the current ADAserviceanimals.org services, including the release of new products, shall be subject to the TOU.

Trademark and Copyright Information

You agree that all trademarks, trade names, service marks, and other logos and brand features, access icons, and product and service names associated with ADAserviceanimals.org (“intellectual property”) are the property of ADAserviceanimals.org. Without prior permission from ADAserviceanimals.org, you agree not to display or use ADAserviceanimals.org’s intellectual property in any manner.

Choice of Law and Forum

You acknowledge and agree that this agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Any dispute or claim directly or indirectly related to this agreement, including its existence, validity, termination, construction, execution, or performance, shall be submitted for resolution to a panel of three arbitrators in San Juan, Puerto Rico: each party shall appoint one arbitrator; and the third arbitrator, who shall be a lawyer, shall be selected by the arbitrators of the parties. Each party shall pay the fees of the arbitrator he/she has selected; and the fees of the third arbitrator will be shared equally by both parties. Each party shall be represented by counsel, at its own expense and responsibility. The Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence of Puerto Rico, in force on the date of commencement of the proceedings, shall apply to the arbitration proceedings. The proceedings shall be recorded by the means determined by the panel of arbitrators. The panel’s award shall be based on the file, the admitted evidence, and the applicable law, and shall be notified to the parties. Either party shall have the right to request judicial review, before the Court of First Instance of San Juan, Puerto Rico, within the expiration period of thirty (30) days from the notification of the award that finally resolves the dispute. The court shall review the award based on the record before the panel of arbitrators to determine whether the findings of law and facts and the remedies granted were in accordance with the law.  

Non-Guarantee Clause

adaserviceanimals.org does not guarantee that landlords, businesses, airlines, or any other entities will recognize or accept the registration materials provided. Users are solely responsible for understanding and complying with applicable laws and policies.

Severability and Modification

This agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In the event that any court with jurisdiction determines that any of the clauses, provisions or conditions of this contract is void, invalid, or unenforceable to any  extent —due to the broad or burdensome scope of its application or any other reason, including but not limited to changes in legislation or the judicial interpretation of applicable laws or regulations— the parties express their desire and intention that, in such case, the court shall modify and limit the terms of said clause, provision or condition to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and/or delete specific words or phrases in such provision to construct and conform it in accordance with the intention and will of the parties. If, notwithstanding the aforementioned, any of the clauses, provisions or conditions of this agreement shall be held or declared to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, it shall be deemed that it has never been part of the agreement, continuing in full force and effect the remaining clauses, provisions, and conditions. 

Headings and Pronouns

The headings of sections in this agreement are provided for convenience and reference only, in no way define, limit, or describe the scope of this contract, or the intent of any provision hereof, and will have no legal or contractual effect, nor affect its construction or interpretation. A singular pronoun shall be deemed to include the masculine, the feminine, and the plural.  

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