Are caracals legal in California?

Caracals (and rusty-spotted cats) are legal in California PROVIDED you have a permit under 14 CCR § 671. Importation, Transportation and Possession of Live Restricted Animals. You’ll find a document on permits at § 671.1.

Pet caracal
Pet caracal. Photo in public domain.

In summary, that is the answer to the question. You will have to apply for a permit for any wild cat species that you wish to possess and own in California. Also, hybrids of domestic cats are not restricted. This implies that the first filial (F1 and a lower) wild cat hybrids are not restricted so you could own an F1 Savannah cat without a licence in California, for example.

Cheetah excepted
Cheetah excepted

I would recommend that a person wishing to own and possess a caracal or any other wild cat species in California contact their local authority and/or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ironically, at this particular moment, while researching this answer, their website is down!

The Thomson Reuters Westlaw California Code of Regulations which lists 671 which states that “It shall be unlawful to….possess live animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under permit issued by the department”. Section 671.1 lists the purposes for which a permit shall be granted and which is subject to conditions and restrictions designated by the department.

Caracal on top of fridge in home
Caracal on top of fridge in the home of Deborah-Ann Millett, USA.

As this is a complicated topic is better to speak to somebody on the phone because they will get to the point quickly, hopefully, rather than ploughing through a pile of technical documents which might baffle you.

Clearly, the law applies to individuals owning a caracal and zoos and breeders. And therefore, there are different rules for different individuals and organisations. No doubt some individuals might like to own a caracal as a pet. My thought there is that only under exceptional circumstances is it a good idea. Although caracals are one of those wild cat species which are more predisposed than others to being a pet rather like the cheetah. Both the caracal and cheetah have a history of working with people and hunting with people. You can go back thousands of years and find records of both these wild cat species working with people as hunters.

Cross-reference

I would cross-reference federal animal laws and more local animals laws i.e. city regulations, to make sure that there isn’t a clash. It is complicated, I think. You have to be careful.

2 thoughts on “Are caracals legal in California?”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. i wanna buy a big floppa for da family but i dont wanna risk it biting off my dogs head. Would you say dat da floppa is good around da dogs? I got a golden retriever and hes such a nice boy. Anyways please get back to me.

    Reply

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