Has anyone actually flown with their ferret as an ESA? Help!

[maruzhope]

So I have 2 ferrets. My therapist wrote me a letter after being evaluated that I am eligible to have them as my emotional support animals for my upcoming flight. I was overjoyed being as they don't allow ferrets in the cabin otherwise, only cats, dogs and birds...yeah...birds...whatever I guess. So I call Delta and ask what my next steps I need to take are so I don't have any issues down the line. She asks what kind of animal and I said 2 ferrets. She then tells me that ferrets, rodents, reptiles, hedgehogs etc etc the list goes on forever are not allowed in the cabin. I am dumbfounded and even though I say they are my emotional support animals they still said no. So basically only the animals already allowed in the cabin anyway are the only ones allowed that are ESAs? What is the point of an ESA then in their case? Does it have no meaning whatsoever? I don't understand. I read the Air Carrier Access Act prohibits airlines for discriminating against any animal as long as its an ESA...but apparently they can still deny certain breeds? I'm already extremely stressed and anxious about this flight already, if I cant bring my ferrets I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm getting so many different answers.

[abbeytheferret6]

Found this:
New “Modified” Guidance Document in the Final Rule



[ this replaces the DOT’s 2003 Guidance document ]



GUIDANCE CONCERNING SERVICE ANIMALS



Introduction



In 1990, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated the official regulations implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Those mles are entitled Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (14 CFR Part 382). Since then the number of people with disabilities traveling by air has grown steadily. This growth has increased the demand for air transportation accessible to all people with disabilities and the importance of understanding DOT's regulations and how to apply them. This document expands on an earlier DOT guidance document published in 1996, which was based on an earlier Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service animal guide issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in July 1996. The purpose of this document is to aid airline employees and people with disabilities in understanding and applying the ACAA and the provisions of Part 382 with respect to service animals in determining:



I1. Certain unusual service animals (e.g., snakes, other reptiles, ferrets, rodents, and spiders) pose unavoidable safety and/or public health concerns and airlines are not required to transport them. In all other circumstances for U.S. carriers, each situation must be considered individually. Do not make assumptions about how a particular unusual animal is likely to behave based on past experience with other animals. You may inquire, however, about whether a particular animal has been trained to behave properly in a public setting. Note that, under the 2008 final rule, foreign carriers are not required to carry animals other than dogs.



What about unusual service animals?


1. As indicated above, certain unusual service animals, (e.g., snakes, other reptiles, ferrets, rodents, and spiders) pose unavoidable safety and/or public health concerns and airlines are not required to transport them. The release of such an animal in the aircraft cabin could result in a direct threat to the health or safety of passengers and crew members. For these reasons, airlines are not required to transport these types of service animals in the cabin, and carriage in the cargo hold will be in accordance with company policies on the carriage of animals generally.

www.iaadp.org/usdot-may2008-airline-guidance.html

[msav]

I believe the main reason is if the animal were to get out of the carrier (out of the owners control) that retrieving that animal would be difficult. Not only that having an animal loose in the plane with other passengers phobias could cause panic.

They probably deem an animal like a dog or cat able to come when called, They probably don't believe that a ferret would  come when called as well as rodents, snakes ect.

[Heather]

Unfortunately, certain animals no matter what classification are not allowed in the cabin and ferrets are one such creature. They're even talking about restricting cats because they're easily spooked.
ciao

[maruzhope]

Thank you everyone for the responses. I just don't understand the point of registering your animal as an ESA if it wont DO anything for you. Yeah cats and dogs are allowed but they're ALREADY allowed on many airlines without being an ESA. Just doesn't make much sense

[Heather]

Your ESA designation allows many privileges, which would allow your assist animal in places most other "pets" would not be allowed. Unfortunately, planes are just not one of them. That form of transportation is very restricted and some companies are pushing for the removal of all pets excluding only dog assist. I realize this is apparently discrimination but they seem to be able to do this.
ciao