Dogs are pets except when they’re service animals. Cats are pets except when they’re emotional support animals or therapy animals.
If you’re renting out a property in the Champaign-Urbana rental market or anywhere in the U.S., it’s important to understand the housing laws that protect people with disabilities. It’s easy to make an expensive mistake by telling prospective or current tenants that pets aren’t allowed in your property under any circumstances. You have the right to your own no-pet policy. But, if that tenant has a service or support animal, it ceases to be a pet, and you legally have to allow it.