by kay
(lacona, NY, USA)
I was thinking of adopting a serval cat. I do live in north new york i dont know the laws about having a serval cat who could i contact about this?
Kay
Hi Kay, I don’t live in the USA! But I have been involved with the question before. In fact a friend of mine Deborah-Ann Milette keeps a F2 Savannah cat called Motzie. He is a very well known cat. She was recently forced to leave NY and ship her beloved Motzie out of the state because of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). You can read her story here: Jealous Cat Fancier Turns Motzie In As Vicious
So, in answer to your question the people to talk to are the DEC. This is their website: DEC (opens in a new page). As I understand it wild cats and hybrids are banned but that is probably a simplistic answer.
The Feline Conservation Federation (FCF) say this about the Regulations in New York on Wild and Exotic Felines. NY has enacted legislation that prohibits the breeding of wild cats and also bans the purchase and/or sale of wild cats as pets. At the time the law came into force (2005?) the law allowed existing owners to register for a license for 2 years. I suspect that the issuing of licenses to then existing owners would not be renewed once the animals had died.
Certain establishments are allowed to keep wild cats and hybrids such as USDA Class C educational exhibitors.
Wild cat hybrids at or higher than 5th generation are apparently acceptable (marechalcattery.com)
I searched their website for the actual regulations without success (and I search well!). But their page on regulations is here: DEC Regulations — see updates below, please.
I would just ring them! I presume that the regulations I have mentioned cover all of NY state but this needs to be checked.
Update: Click on this: The health code for the city of New York (new window) [update: this link is broken at Nov 2016 – sorry] and
New York State Laws Governing Private Possession of Exotic Animals (new window)
The huge price difference is probably due to (a) the filial – how far from the wild is the cat and (b) quality – how close to the breed standard is the cat and how special is the appearance. I think the best bet is to visit a breeder who is not far from you and ask questions and look at the place for signs of high standards of cat welfare. You can use the CFA site for breeders or just search on Google. I would not buy blind. Always visit the breeder’s facilities and be tough on questioning. Get a contract and check it. Sorry if this sounds horrendous but this is an adoption for life – up to 20 years. Remember both are wild cat hybrids so the filial level is important. You’d probably go for an F5. Good luck Cindy.
PS. Clubs sometimes have rehoming services for purebred cats who are unwanted or have to owner. Check Bengal cat and Savannah cat clubs.
I have been looking for a Bengal kitten or a Savannah kitten for several months now. I am quite confused at the price range I’m seeing. They go from $700 all the way to $15,000. OMG….. Just looking for a nice exotic companion for our family without the heavy price attached. Looks to me, some breeders are more into the $$ than the happyness of their fur babies. Can you please lead me to a phew good reasonable breeders. Much appreciated
Cindy from NY
does anyone know what action is being taken or can be taken to change the law. i live in upstate ny just south of albany. and i would love to have a serval or savannah f1 f2. is there a group established that i can join. or is anyone willing to get together to establish a group to fight for the change in the law. you can reach me at yzbuyz@hotmail.com
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Thanks for visiting and commenting. My understanding of the general law in the USA regarding wildcat hybrids is that there is a general tightening up because of a fear of super-feral cats. This follows what is happening in Australia. The fear is that escaped Savannahs will create large feral cats which are as good as wild cats in terms of predation and it will decimate native wild species.
I don’t see NY changing policy. Other States are more relaxed at present. Good luck.