State | Legality of Pet Serval Cats↓ | Additional Pet Serval Cat Legality Details | |
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![]() | Alaska | Not legal | |
![]() | Arizona | Not legal | |
![]() | California | Not legal | |
![]() | Colorado | Not legal | |
![]() | Connecticut | Not legal | |
![]() | Delaware | Not legal | |
![]() | District of Columbia | Not legal | |
![]() | Georgia | Not legal | |
![]() | Hawaii | Not legal | |
![]() | Maryland | Not legal | |
![]() | Massachusetts | Not legal | |
![]() | Minnesota | Not legal | |
![]() | Nebraska | Not legal | |
![]() | New Hampshire | Not legal | |
![]() | New Jersey | Not legal | |
![]() | New Mexico | Not legal | |
![]() | New York | Not legal | |
![]() | North Carolina | Not legal | |
![]() | Ohio | Not legal | |
![]() | Oregon | Not legal |
|
![]() | Rhode Island | Not legal | |
![]() | Utah | Not legal | |
![]() | Vermont | Not legal | |
![]() | Virginia | Not legal | |
![]() | Arkansas | Legal w/ ownership permit | |
![]() | Florida | Legal w/ ownership permit |
|
![]() | Idaho | Legal w/ ownership permit |
|
![]() | Indiana | Legal w/ ownership permit |
|
![]() | Maine | Legal w/ ownership permit | |
![]() | North Dakota | Legal w/ ownership permit | |
![]() | Oklahoma | Legal w/ ownership permit |
|
![]() | Pennsylvania | Legal w/ ownership permit | |
![]() | Wyoming | Legal w/ ownership permit | |
![]() | Nevada | Legal w/ ownership and import permits |
|
![]() | South Dakota | Legal w/ ownership and import permits |
|
![]() | Kansas | Legal w/ import permit | |
![]() | Kentucky | Legal w/ import permit | |
![]() | Mississippi | Legal w/ import permit |
|
![]() | Missouri | Legal w/ import permit |
|
![]() | Texas | Legal w/ import permit | |
![]() | Washington | Legal w/ import permit |
|
![]() | Wisconsin | Legal w/ import permit |
|
![]() | Alabama | Legal |
|
![]() | Illinois | Legal |
|
![]() | Iowa | Legal |
|
![]() | Louisiana | Legal |
|
![]() | Michigan | Legal | |
![]() | Montana | Legal | |
![]() | South Carolina | Legal | |
![]() | Tennessee | Legal | |
![]() | West Virginia | Legal |
Serval cats are wild, African-native cats. They are larger than domestic house cats at almost two feet long and range from 20 to 40 pounds when fully grown. They have a lifespan of up to 22 years. Because they are wild animals, they are illegal to own in all states. Some states make owning them as pets illegal, while others require certain permits or inspections.
As of 2024, seven states allowed residents to own serval cats without obtaining a permit: Illinois, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Additionally, no permit is required at the state level in Alabama, Louisiana, or Texas, though certain counties within those states may still require permits.
State | Legality of Pet Serval Cats |
---|---|
Alabama | Legal |
Illinois | Legal |
Iowa | Legal |
Louisiana | Legal |
Michigan | Legal |
Montana | Legal |
South Carolina | Legal |
Tennessee | Legal |
West Virginia | Legal |
Several additional states allow ownership of Serval cats if the owner meets certain requirements. All such states require an ownership permit/license and/or an import permit. Additional requirements may include an inspection to make sure the proper living arrangements have been made and/or obtaining the cat from a USDA-licensed breeder. These states include Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
State | Legality of Pet Serval Cats |
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Note: Additional requirements may also exist
In the remaining states, it is illegal to own a serval cat. As of 2024, these states included Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Colombia, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon (except for licensed breeders), Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.
State | Legality of Pet Serval Cats |
---|---|
Alaska | Not legal |
Arizona | Not legal |
California | Not legal |
Colorado | Not legal |
Connecticut | Not legal |
Delaware | Not legal |
District of Columbia | Not legal |
Georgia | Not legal |
Hawaii | Not legal |
Maryland | Not legal |
Massachusetts | Not legal |
Minnesota | Not legal |
Nebraska | Not legal |
New Hampshire | Not legal |
New Jersey | Not legal |
New Mexico | Not legal |
New York | Not legal |
North Carolina | Not legal |
Ohio | Not legal |
Oregon | Not legal |
Rhode Island | Not legal |
Utah | Not legal |
Vermont | Not legal |
Virginia | Not legal |
Because serval cats are wild, they are not as ideal as domesticated cats as pets. They can bond with a person but are not good for families with children or other pets. This means that they are best if you are an individual who lives alone. Because they are so large and have a high need for activity, they also would not be good pets for those who live in cities or smaller homes without outdoor access.
Serval cats have been bred with domestic cats to produce a Savannah cat. These are easier to care for and more similar to domestic cats for those looking for a unique-looking pet without the extra effort of caring for a wild animal.
Serval cats require space of their own outside. Because they have the ability to jump high into the air and use their long legs for digging, a tall enclosure that extends underground is required. It should have a pool of water your serval cat can drink and swim in.
Serval cats cannot be litter trained. Combined with their jumping and digging tendencies, they are unsuitable as indoor pets. They are not affectionate like domestic cats can be and do not like to be pet or cuddled. Therefore, trying to keep them inside to bond will only lead to broken objects, messes, and unhappy pets.
Being outside will also give the serval cat a chance to hunt for prey. Their diet should be mostly made up of animals such as rodents, birds, fish, and frogs.