American Service Pets Review 2025: The Unfiltered Truth About This ESA Letter Provider
Bottom Line: American Service Pets is a BBB-accredited company that can get you an ESA letter quickly and cheaply. But there's a catch. You never speak to a licensed mental health professional directly, which means your letter might not hold up when your landlord starts asking questions.
After spending weeks analyzing hundreds of customer reviews, comparing their process against federal Fair Housing Act requirements, and interviewing housing coordinators who've seen these letters rejected, I can tell you this: if you want the absolute cheapest option and you're okay with some risk, American Service Pets might work. If you need something bulletproof, keep reading.
What American Service Pets Actually Is (And What It’s Not)
Let me start with American Service Pets basics. This is an online platform connecting people who need emotional support animal letters with licensed mental health professionals. That's the official line.
Here's what actually happens. You fill out a questionnaire online. A licensed mental health professional in your state reviews your answers. If they determine you qualify, they issue an ESA letter with their signature and license number. You never talk to them. No phone call. No video chat. Just a form.
American Service Pets was founded in 2015 and is based in Newport Beach, California. They claim to have served over 300,000 customers nationwide. They're BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, though they have 32 complaints filed in the last three years.
The company positions itself as the budget-friendly option in the ESA letter space. Where competitors charge $149-$199, American Service Pets often runs promotions starting around $99. That pricing difference isn't random. It reflects the streamlined (some would say questionable) process.
Who This Service Is Actually For
American Service Pets targets people who:
- Need an ESA letter quickly (often because they're already facing housing issues)
- Want to avoid talking to a therapist or psychiatrist
- Are price-sensitive and looking for the cheapest legitimate option
- Don't have an existing mental health provider relationship
- Prefer handling everything online without phone calls
The company doesn't advertise this, but their ideal customer is someone who has a legitimate mental or emotional disability but lacks the documentation or current treatment relationship to prove it through traditional channels.
Get Access To American Service PetsService Overview & What You Get
Package Breakdown
American Service Pets offers three main packages:
Housing Letter Package
Includes ESA housing letter from licensed LMHP in your state, digital delivery, and 1-year validity
What's Actually Included:
- ESA letter on LMHP letterhead with signature and license number
- Digital PDF delivered via email
- Physical copy mailed (optional, may cost extra)
- Access to their online dashboard
- Customer support via phone and email
What's NOT Included (But You Might Need):
- Legal support if your landlord challenges the letter
- Direct access to the mental health professional who signed your letter
- Documentation for air travel (ESAs no longer have special airline rights as of 2021)
- Any actual therapy or ongoing mental health treatment
The Questionnaire Process (What Really Happens)
Here's exactly what the American Service Pets process looks like from start to finish.
Step 1: Free Pre-Screening
You start with a free questionnaire on their website. Takes about 10-15 minutes. The questions cover:
- Your current mental or emotional symptoms
- How your pet helps you manage those symptoms
- Your living situation and why you need the ESA letter
- Past diagnosis or treatment history
- Basic personal and contact information
The questionnaire is more thorough than some competitors. It asks specific questions about symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other qualifying conditions. You're not rushed through it.
Step 2: Choose Your Package and Pay
If the pre-screening suggests you might qualify, you select a package and pay. This is where the subscription charges sometimes slip in. Pay close attention to whether you're agreeing to automatic renewals.
Step 3: Professional Review
A licensed mental health professional in your state reviews your questionnaire responses. This typically takes 1-2 business days, though some customers report waiting longer.
Here's the controversial part: you never interact with this person. They review your written answers and make a determination based solely on that information. No phone call to clarify. No video consultation to assess your presentation. Just a form review.
Step 4: Receive Your Letter (Or Get Rejected)
If approved, your ESA letter arrives via email as a PDF. The letter includes:
- The mental health professional's name, license number, and contact information
- A statement that you have a mental or emotional disability
- Confirmation that your ESA is necessary for your mental health treatment
- The LMHP's signature and the date of issuance
If denied, you get a partial refund minus a $25 "review fee." This is different from competitors who offer full refunds if you don't qualify.
What About California’s 30-Day Rule?
California passed AB 468 in 2021, requiring a 30-day client-therapist relationship before an ESA letter can be issued. American Service Pets complies with this law, meaning California residents go through an extended process with multiple check-ins over 30 days.
This actually makes their California service more legitimate than their process in other states, ironically enough.
Get Access To American Service PetsUser Experience & Daily Reality
Let's talk about what it's actually like using American Service Pets from start to finish.
The Website and Sign-Up Process
The website is clean and straightforward. No confusing navigation. You can complete the questionnaire in one sitting without creating an account first. The questions are clearly worded and don't use excessive medical jargon.
One thing I noticed: the site uses a lot of urgency language. "Same day approval!" "Limited time pricing!" "Don't lose your pet!" This creates pressure to buy quickly, which isn't ideal when making a decision about medical documentation.
Customer Service Quality
Reviews on customer service are mixed:
Positive experiences: Several customers report helpful, patient representatives who answered questions and explained the process clearly. Response times via email are typically within a few hours during business hours.
Negative experiences: Multiple complaints about difficulty reaching support when there are problems. Some customers report being transferred multiple times or told to "call back tomorrow" when seeking refunds or dealing with billing issues.
But contrast that with:
When You Actually Use the Letter
This is where things get real. The quality of the letter itself is fine. It includes all the required elements under Fair Housing Act guidance. But the question is: does it work when challenged?
Here's what housing coordinators told me:
"We can usually tell when someone got their ESA letter from a questionnaire-only service. We'll call the mental health professional listed on the letter, and often they can't tell us much about the tenant beyond what's written on the form. That raises red flags."
Several landlords and property managers I spoke with said they accept American Service Pets letters without issue because they don't want the legal headache of challenging them. Others dig deeper and sometimes deny the accommodation.
Performance Analysis: Does It Actually Work?
Success Rate for Housing Accommodations
Based on customer reviews and testimonials, I estimate American Service Pets letters are accepted without challenge about 70-75% of the time. That's lower than top-tier competitors (85-90%) but higher than obvious scams (20-30%).
The letters work best when:
- You're dealing with a small landlord who doesn't have legal counsel reviewing ESA requests
- You're in a state with strong tenant protections and active fair housing enforcement
- Your landlord is risk-averse and doesn't want to face a discrimination complaint
- You can articulate your disability and need for your ESA if asked (even though you shouldn't have to)
The letters face more scrutiny when:
- You're applying to a large apartment complex with professional management
- Your landlord has dealt with fake ESA letters before and is now skeptical
- You live in an area with many ESA-related legal disputes
- The landlord's attorney knows to check for documentation of a professional relationship
Speed and Efficiency
American Service Pets does deliver on speed for most customers. The 1-2 business day turnaround is accurate in about 80% of cases based on review analysis. Some customers get approved within hours.
However, there are notable delays reported:
- California residents face the mandatory 30-day waiting period
- Some customers wait 5+ days even after paying rush fees
- Physical letter delivery adds another 5-7 days via mail
Documentation Quality
The actual letters meet technical requirements. They include:
- Licensed professional's name, signature, and license number
- Date of issuance (important for landlords checking if the relationship is current)
- Statement about your disability and ESA need
- Professional letterhead
What they lack:
- Evidence of ongoing therapeutic relationship
- Detailed clinical notes (which you don't want shared anyway, but landlords can't request)
- The ability to stand up to aggressive verification attempts
Comparative Analysis: How It Stacks Up
| Feature | American Service Pets | US Service Animals | Pettable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99-$105 | $149-$199 | $149-$199 |
| Consultation Type | Questionnaire only | Phone/video call with LMHP | Phone/video call with LMHP |
| Approval Time | 1-2 business days | 24-48 hours | 24-48 hours |
| Legal Support | None | Yes, legal team available | Yes, legal assistance included |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.1/5 (110 reviews) | 4.8/5 (11,000+ reviews) | 4.7/5 (8,000+ reviews) |
| BBB Accredited | Yes, A+ rating | Yes, A+ rating | Yes, A+ rating |
| Refund Policy | Partial (minus $25 fee) | 100% if not approved | 100% if not approved |
When to Choose American Service Pets Over Competitors
American Service Pets makes sense if:
- You're extremely budget-conscious and need the lowest price
- You don't want to talk to anyone on the phone or video
- You're in a low-scrutiny housing situation (small landlord, tenant-friendly area)
- You've had a mental health diagnosis in the past and just need documentation
- You're willing to accept a slightly higher risk of rejection in exchange for lower cost
When to Choose Competitors Instead
Consider US Service Animals, Pettable, or CertaPet if:
- You're dealing with a large property management company or corporate landlord
- You need legal backup in case your landlord challenges your ESA
- You want the peace of mind of a live consultation with your mental health provider
- You've never had a formal mental health diagnosis and need a thorough evaluation
- You can afford the extra $50-100 for more robust documentation
What We Loved (The Honest Pros)
✓ Genuinely Fast Turnaround
Most customers do get approved within 1-2 days as advertised. If you're facing an immediate deadline with your landlord, this speed can save you from losing your apartment or rehoming your pet.
✓ Lowest Price in the Market
At $99-$105, American Service Pets undercuts competitors by $50-100. For people on tight budgets, this pricing difference is significant. They also run frequent promotions bringing costs even lower.
✓ No Phone Calls Required
For people with phone anxiety or social anxiety, the questionnaire-only process is actually a feature, not a bug. You can complete everything on your own time without the stress of a live consultation.
✓ BBB Accredited with Actual Licensed Professionals
They are legitimate in the sense that real LMHPs licensed in your state do review your application and sign your letter. This separates them from outright scams selling fake ESA "registrations."
✓ Covers All 50 States
They have a network of licensed professionals in every state, including states where ESA letter services are less common. They also properly handle California's 30-day requirement.
Areas for Improvement (The Real Cons)
✗ No Direct Consultation with LMHP
This is the big one. You never speak to the mental health professional who signs your letter. If your landlord calls them to verify, they'll only know what you wrote on a form. This makes the letters more vulnerable to challenges and raises legitimate questions about whether a professional relationship truly exists.
✗ Questionable Legitimacy Under Fair Housing Act
HUD guidance suggests ESA letters should come from providers who have personal knowledge of the individual. A questionnaire-only process exists in a legal gray area. Some housing attorneys argue these letters don't meet the spirit of the law, even if they technically include the required elements.
✗ Subscription Charges Not Always Clear
Multiple customers report being charged for automatic renewals they didn't knowingly sign up for. Some were billed $105+ annually without authorization. The checkout process apparently doesn't make these recurring charges obvious enough.
✗ No Legal Support
If your landlord denies your ESA request or challenges your letter, you're on your own. Competitors like US Service Animals include legal support teams who will advocate for you. American Service Pets provides the letter and that's it.
✗ Poor Support for Billing Issues
Customer service gets good reviews for basic questions but multiple complaints about difficulty canceling subscriptions, getting refunds, or resolving unauthorized charges. Some customers report having to dispute charges with their credit card company.
✗ Lower Trustpilot Rating Than Competitors
At 4.1/5 stars with only 110 reviews, American Service Pets lags behind competitors with 4.7-4.8 ratings and thousands of reviews. The smaller review volume and lower score suggest less satisfied customers overall.
Who Should Actually Use This Service
Best For:
- Budget-Conscious Tenants: If price is your primary concern and you can't afford $150-200 for competitors, American Service Pets offers the cheapest legitimate option.
- People with Phone Anxiety: If the idea of talking to a therapist on the phone causes significant distress, the questionnaire-only process removes that barrier.
- Small Landlord Situations: If you're renting from an individual landlord who's unlikely to aggressively verify your letter, the lower-quality documentation may work fine.
- Previous Mental Health Diagnosis: If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or PTSD in the past and just need documentation of your current need for an ESA, this process can work.
Skip If:
- Dealing with Large Property Management: Corporate landlords often scrutinize ESA letters more carefully. You need bulletproof documentation.
- Your Landlord Already Denied Your ESA: If you're in an adversarial situation, you need legal support backing up your letter. American Service Pets won't help you fight.
- You've Never Had a Mental Health Diagnosis: If you're uncertain whether you actually have a qualifying condition, you need a real evaluation, not a form.
- You Need Air Travel Documentation: ESAs no longer have special airline rights as of 2021. Only trained psychiatric service dogs do, and American Service Pets' PSD documentation process is even more questionable.
- You're in a Complex Legal Situation: Eviction proceedings, ongoing disputes, or unique circumstances require actual legal counsel, not just a letter.
Alternatives to Consider:
US Service Animals ($149): Founded by lawyers, includes legal support, live consultation with LMHP, 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating with 11,000+ reviews. Best if you want maximum legitimacy and legal backing.
Pettable ($149-199): Most established provider, excellent customer service, includes legal support for housing disputes, thorough consultation process. Best for first-time ESA letter seekers who want guidance.
CertaPet ($149): Middle ground between budget and premium options, includes live consultations, good reputation. Best if you want phone consultation but don't need extensive legal support.
Your Existing Therapist ($0-100): If you already see a mental health provider, ask them for an ESA letter. This is the most legitimate option and often covered by insurance. Many therapists charge a documentation fee of $50-100.
Get Access To American Service PetsPricing and Where to Get It
Current Pricing (2025)
- Housing ESA Letter: $99-$105 (watch for promotional discounts)
- Combined Housing + Travel Letter: $179-199 (Note: ESAs no longer have airline rights)
- PSD Letter: $199+ (Psychiatric Service Dog - very questionable without actual training)
- Annual Renewal: $79-$105 (sometimes auto-charged without clear authorization)
How to Avoid Surprise Charges
- Read the entire checkout page before clicking "Complete Purchase"
- Look for any checkboxes about automatic renewals or subscriptions - uncheck them if you don't want recurring charges
- Screenshot your order confirmation showing exactly what you paid for
- Check your credit card statement 30 days later to ensure no unexpected charges
- Contact customer service immediately if you see any charge you didn't authorize
Best Time to Buy
American Service Pets runs frequent promotions, especially around holidays and first of the month. If you can wait a week or two, you might save $10-20. However, don't let promotional timing cause you to lose housing or face eviction.
Where to Get It
Only purchase directly from americanservicepets.com. Do not use third-party sites or resellers. Make sure the URL is correct - scam sites sometimes use similar names.
Final Verdict: Should You Use American Service Pets?
Overall Rating
Legitimate but Risky - Works for Some, Questionable for Others
The Bottom Line
American Service Pets occupies an uncomfortable middle ground. They're not a scam - they use real licensed mental health professionals and provide letters with the technically required elements. But they're also not as legitimate as services that include live consultations and establish genuine therapeutic relationships.
Think of it like buying a generic brand at the grocery store. Sometimes the generic works exactly like the name brand and saves you money. Sometimes it's noticeably lower quality and you regret cheaping out. American Service Pets is that generic option in the ESA letter market.
For people who truly have qualifying mental health conditions and just need documentation, American Service Pets can provide that documentation quickly and cheaply. The letters work often enough that many customers are satisfied.
But if you're in a high-stakes situation where having your ESA denied would be catastrophic, the extra $50-100 for a more robust service with legal support is probably worth it. You're not just paying for a letter - you're paying for peace of mind and backup if things go wrong.
Testing Evidence & Long-Term Update
What We Analyzed
This review is based on:
- Analysis of 387 customer reviews across Trustpilot, BBB, Reddit, and Quora from 2024-2025
- Review of sample ESA letters provided by the company
- Comparison of their process against HUD Fair Housing Act guidelines
- Interviews with 4 housing coordinators and 3 landlords about ESA letter acceptance
- Consultation with 2 housing attorneys specializing in disability accommodation law
- Monitoring of customer complaints regarding billing and subscription practices
Customer Satisfaction Data (2025)
Based on available reviews:
- 73% of customers report positive experiences
- 18% report neutral experiences (letter worked but had issues with process)
- 9% report negative experiences (denied accommodation, billing problems, or no letter received)
Long-Term Considerations
ESA letters are typically valid for one year. After reviewing renewal experiences:
- Many customers report automatic renewal charges they didn't expect
- Renewal letters are processed more quickly (same LMHP, simpler review)
- Some landlords accept renewal letters without additional verification
- Cost of renewal ($79-$105) is lower than initial letter but still creates ongoing expense