Require the ADA to recognize service cats
The Issue
My friend is chronically disabled, and for a while in her home state, cats were recognized as service animals. She has a cat that has been both owner-trained and professionally trained by a cat trainer to perform tasks specifically for her disability. However, due to her severe allergies and the nature of her disability, a service dog is not a feasible option for her.
Unfortunately, circumstances required her family to relocate to Arkansas, where her cat is no longer legally recognized as a service animal. Consequently, she faces daily challenges accessing public spaces with her trained service cat, which significantly impacts her ability to live independently and perform essential daily activities.
Currently, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) only recognizes dogs as service animals. This policy excludes individuals like my friend, who rely on service cats to function in their day-to-day lives due to specific health and environmental needs. Lack of legal recognition for service cats denies these individuals the necessary support and protection, compromising their rights to independence and inclusion in society.
Service cats can be just as effective as service dogs, providing emotional support, performing specific tasks, and enhancing the quality of life for those with disabilities. Scientific evidence has shown that cats can be trained to assist individuals with mobility issues by fetching items, alerting to seizures, and offering comfort during anxiety attacks.
We demand that the ADA be amended to recognize trained service cats as legitimate service animals, granting them the same legal protections and public access rights as service dogs. By doing so, we can help ensure that all individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to benefit from service animals that best meet their specific needs.
Please sign this petition to urge the government and the ADA to legally recognize service cats across the United States, providing these animals and their handlers with the rights and recognition they deserve.
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The Issue
My friend is chronically disabled, and for a while in her home state, cats were recognized as service animals. She has a cat that has been both owner-trained and professionally trained by a cat trainer to perform tasks specifically for her disability. However, due to her severe allergies and the nature of her disability, a service dog is not a feasible option for her.
Unfortunately, circumstances required her family to relocate to Arkansas, where her cat is no longer legally recognized as a service animal. Consequently, she faces daily challenges accessing public spaces with her trained service cat, which significantly impacts her ability to live independently and perform essential daily activities.
Currently, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) only recognizes dogs as service animals. This policy excludes individuals like my friend, who rely on service cats to function in their day-to-day lives due to specific health and environmental needs. Lack of legal recognition for service cats denies these individuals the necessary support and protection, compromising their rights to independence and inclusion in society.
Service cats can be just as effective as service dogs, providing emotional support, performing specific tasks, and enhancing the quality of life for those with disabilities. Scientific evidence has shown that cats can be trained to assist individuals with mobility issues by fetching items, alerting to seizures, and offering comfort during anxiety attacks.
We demand that the ADA be amended to recognize trained service cats as legitimate service animals, granting them the same legal protections and public access rights as service dogs. By doing so, we can help ensure that all individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to benefit from service animals that best meet their specific needs.
Please sign this petition to urge the government and the ADA to legally recognize service cats across the United States, providing these animals and their handlers with the rights and recognition they deserve.
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Petition created on June 30, 2026