Help Please On Owning Serval In UK

by Heather
(UK)

I live in the UK. How / where do i find either a Serval or a F1 Savannah to own. Do we have any breeders in my part of the world. Please advise...Hi Heather: This is Michael (Site Admin). This is a good question. I am in touch with Kathrin Stucki who owns A1 Savannahs to see if she can provide advice as her cattery has supplied breeding Savannahs to a UK breeder as far as I am aware. As soon as I hear back I will be adding to this page. I hope you are OK with that.

I am sure that you have checked out the legalities. In the UK the rules on keeping wild animals (Serval) are stricter than in the USA. There will no doubt be lots of hurdles to overcome and the hurdles don’t stop after you start living with a Serval. I met a tame Serval at A1 Savannahs. A really nice boy:

You may have seen this video. As you can see he is quite large (there are larger Servals). He was kept in an outside enclosure. Although some people in the States keep Servals inside their homes I don’t think it suitable for the person or the cat! That means an enclosure which translates to expense and space etc. Then there are the extensive legalities I refer to.

I also saw an F1 Savannah at A1 Savannahs, smaller than a Serval but retaining a large wildcat element in character. These cats were also in enclosures. DEFRA (the government department in the UK) will deal with the rules governing the importation (if required) and keeping of a Serval and a F1 Savannah. I am not sure but until fairly recently the relatively domestic F4 Bengal was treated as a wildcat in the UK. The rules were waived for practical reasons but an F1 Savannah is a different matter.

You may have covered all the above points and more in which case fantastic. I will get back to this page once I have heard from Kathrin but if you haven’t checked out DEFRA yet I would. In fact, I will do some research myself today and get back to add to this page anyway. There are Savannah breeders in the UK (not many though, maybe only one or two – not sure) so I would ask them some questions.

Michael

Comments for
Help Please On Owning Serval In UK

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 19, 2012 Pictures and advice NEW
by: K and z

Hello a message for Jayne. We saw your previous photo of Nala, we have not seen Leon, but would love to. The photo of nala that you put up before was the most beautiful picture we have ever seen.

We are reading and finding out all we can, but could you advise us on one thing. We don’t have lots of land. We both have gardens approx 25m x 12m and 5/7 bedroom homes. Do you think we are too land poor to even consider Servals or f1s? I remember from previous post your enclosure is enormous. We do intend to contact our local authorities on this but think they might find the idea of some one who lives in a market town/suburbia applying for a dwal crazy? It is early days on our research on this but we are both (two sisters) adoring of f1s, servals. If a serval or f1 is not for us then f2s, and other kitties it will be. Any advice would be appreciated and we do hope you find a way to put up photos, we would love to see Nala and Leon.


Apr 02, 2012 Cats from the US NEW
by: Anonymous

Be very careful of bringing in cats from distant countries, please look closely at breeder’s contracts before you pay a deposit, as it can be a costly adventure if somthing was to go wrong, please remember that felines can carry an illness that will only be shown when under stress such as being moved from a cattery or breeding facility, It could be cat flu or and FIP or any other symptom that may arise, the breeder will not take responsibility of that illness or may say that the feline caught the illness during transit! Once a disease is in your cattery, will wipe out your entire program and may set you back years.
Certain Breeders in the US will ask you to visit the cattery {which is a generally a good idea if you are going to purchase an expensive feline} be aware of Big breeder Cattery’s they will always say that they are the best! Personally I think that commercial breeders pose a higher risk of Feline disease.
If you are in the UK find a breeder or ask for contacts of a breeder {there are breeders in Europe who do have new Savannah blood lines {No US lines} which will make any problems as of above be a little less stressful for all concerned.


Apr 01, 2012 big cats in uk NEW
by: Jayne in UK

I am still so happy with my serval nala who i got from hotspot exotics in Sctoland. She is just over a year old now. Would like to put some new pictures up of nala on this page but not sure how? My F1 boy Leon is also wonderful and would love to share some pictures of him. He is the first F1 boy born in uk and is just full of personality. Servals and F1 savannahs are wonderful animals but anyone keeping such an animal must be able to provide lots of area for them to play. Both my cats go out from 7am to around 7pm in their enclosue and spend the rest of the evening hogging the sofa watching T V as they both love human company. My enclosures are huge and they get new toys regulary as they love the stimulation. My F1 boy aLso came from hotspot exotics.If the manager of the webpage could come back to me. Would love to share some up todate pictures of both my special cats. Kind regards Jayne


Apr 01, 2012 searching for buy a serval cat NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi
Im searching to buy a serval cat but i don’t find any breeder anywhere.if somebody have any information pleas send it to neyc81@gmail.com

Thank u for your help.


Jul 25, 2011 Serval & Conservation
by: Anonymous

I totally agree with the comments made against the immature person ~ Captive breeding and private keepership is the mainstay of conservation in todays World whether it be in a Zoo or private ownership, if kept in the “WILD” most mammals will no doubt become extinct within the next 100 years or so, by our own conservation of this particular feline will be the ambassadors for future generations of its exsistance.


Jul 25, 2011 Reality check
by: Jayne

Everyone is entitled to his or her own thoughts, right or wrong, however you are way out of line to call people sick. My serval has a wonderful life and I have done more for conservation dear anonymous, than most. Servals in the wild don’t have the best of lives as they are constantly prayed upon and most don’t live beyond five years of age. Until you have seen this first hand, like I have, you have no right to judge those that have spent over one hundred thousand pounds, building there cat an amazing enclosure and home. My cat should live to be at least 20 years of age and will only ever know kindness, love and understanding. She always waging her tail and purring and lives very happily with my domestics

The world has changed, man use to live in caves, but it hasn’t stopped you from moving on into a house and getting Internet! Unfortunately

If you believe in what you write, at least put your name to it! For the record, every living thing has a free sprit. Cat, dog, horse…. The wife. Just because man calls it domestic, it doesn’t make it so.


Jul 24, 2011 DISGUSTING
by: Anonymous

I personally think you are all sick and disgusting..

these are gorgous beautiful wild cats that deserve to live in their own environments not caged no matter how big the enclosure for your convience and pleasure horrific

get a domestic cat and be done with it..

you are encouring importing and catching of these gorgous near going rare animals i think you should all be ashamed.go and live in these countries and see them in own habitats before stealing and forcing them over here

they are wild animals end of.dangerous end of

abs disgusting and an excuse for people to make big bucks out this poor creature abs disgusting

i can see already an advert for one £8000 ready in few weeks old..doubt its been quarantined or anything its very young kit..disgusting disgusting look what you are encouraging

humans are so spoilt and selfish


Jul 04, 2011 serval cubs
by: Anonymous

We have bred servals this year and lots of people seem very cautious about ads,there are obviously lots of scams out there.


Apr 29, 2011 the McNeils
by: cheetseeker

Does anyone know if these individuals are valid? Their prices seem appropriate as does their paperwork. I was just curious as I have set everything up to have a cub shipped, without signing anything and have already put my heart into it. Thanks

cheetseeker


Mar 18, 2011 DWA IMPORTS
by: Anonymous

Hi, if you wanting to import any Dangerous wild animal {DWA} which includes the F1 Savannah and F1 Bengal into the UK which do require a 6 month rabies Quarantine detention {UK law}. please visit www.Quarantine-uk.co.uk we are a small Zoo quarantine establishment licensed by DEFRA, we can accommodate at our facility all Small wild felines for example Ocelots/Margays Asian Leopard cats/ and Servals including any F1 hybrid for your Savannah breeding program’s.
We are not just a normal quarantine facility, as enthusiasts we understand the requirements of the owners {Savannah Breeders etc}, We have over the last few years gained an exceptional knowledge in breeding / rearing and quarantining wild animals, we understand that it is imperative to keep the F1 Savannah in a state of domestication whilst undergoing a Rabies detention of 182-3 Days, factual evidence proves that F1 hybrids imported at a later age will find it very stressful in a given quarantine situation, (even F2 ‘s have a dramatic/stress time in quarantine so please stick to the PETS requirements and make sure all documents are correct at all stages of its requirements otherwise on entry into the UK if faults are found your F2 will go directly into a public quarantine facility ~ I would not advise your F2 to under go any Quarantine if not needed ) I would advocate that any wild cat or indeed F1 hybrids enter the UK at the earliest age as legally possible thus ensuring the welfare of its stay at our facility to a minimum.
Please contact me any time.
Gary


Mar 11, 2011 hotspotexotics
by: Anonymous

I bought my beautiful serval cub from hotspotexotics in the uk. My serval is just wonderful and been worth every penny. As i live in the UK, i have to hold a dangerous wild animale licence and the lady from hotspotexotics is very selective when it comes to homes for her cubs. she requires you to have a quality enclosure and a understanding of keeping animals prior to letting you purchase a cub. The majority of her cubs go to conservation groups and the lady has made it her lifes work to ensure the well being of her animals. Her servals are kept in really large enclosures with mature trees and lots of land to roam, with the option of heated indoor building to go into as they please, so there is no way she will let the cubs go to a home without land and a quality enclosure. Its worth giving her a call. If she cant help and dosent have cubs at this moment in time, she may be able to point you in the right direction or put you on a waiting list. Her website is easy to find from google when you type in hotspotexotics. I spent many years looking prior to getting my girl. I found cubs in the states where being advertised at a rate of 3000.00 to 8500.00 dollars. The ones advertised at 3500.00 to 5000.00 dollars, i found to be scams. For me in the UK, importing and quarentine was an additional six thousand pounds and i would have ended up with a not so friendly serval as it would not of been handled for six to seven months. My cub is friendly as a result of being hand reared and due to no quarentine i have been able to form an amazing bond. Hope my advice helps alittle, best of luck


Mar 10, 2011 African Serval ( looking for )
by: Hayley

I’ve been looking everywhere’s online to buy a Serval and everything seems to be scams or unavailable at the moment…. If anyone know’s any breeder’s who are selling Serval’s please email me and let me know .. hayleymarielong@msn.com – I’ve done all my research on this type of wild cat, and it is legal to have one where i live. hayley.


Mar 05, 2011 serval cub
by: jayne

Never heard of this person owing servals in Birmingham and i spent three years looking. The only place i know has serval cubs in uk is hotspot exotics in scotland, this is where i bought my cub from. The lady will only consider you for a cub if you can prove you are able to give the cub a stable and loving home and will get a licence

Best of luck

Jayne


Mar 05, 2011 Savannah F1
by: Junaid

Can anyone please tell me if they have bought a Savannah or Serval from Stacy Mcneil in Birmingham. here is their address. I Hope they are not scam. please help I just gave them 50% deposit
Kim and Stacy
47 Hockley Hill, Birmingham
B18 5AQ – England
United Kingdom

E-mail me at junaid.sadiq@homail.com


Feb 06, 2011 have you heard of this breeder
by: Anonymous

Any body purchase a Serval from a Stacy McNeil in the UK?


Jan 06, 2011 owning uk serval
by: jayne

Dear all

Just reading all the comments in relation to being able to find and buy a serval cub here in the uk. I would just like to inform those that are serious that it is possible to buy a serval cub here in the UK. I have a house with land and carry a licence to own such a pet.

My serval is very sweet and requires much the same work as any animal of its size and age. The cost of buying / looking after and housing I find to be much the same as my horse. Her outdoor enclosure and building cost much the same as my stable and fencing of a paddock. if the cost of spending many thousand of pounds buying such a pet is a concern, then maybe they are Not the pet for you, as you will spend twice as much providing a suitable home and enclosure. A dog shed and small concrete enclosure is not acceptable for such a high energy and intelligent animal.

I am working class and to get to the stage where own such a cat and able to provide a suitable home has taken my years of hard work and saving. Under my licence, my serval lives in the house and in her outdoor heated building with outdoor enclosure. She is friendly to all, but like all animal she knows who are her family

I looked at importing a cat but with quarintine you end up spending around 8k and you get a cat that hasnt been touched for six months and not so friendly…. There are alot of fakes out there and people saying that they have a cat or cub when they dont..

The cub I bought here in the uk is worth every penny I paid for her. When I looked at the cost the breeder had gone to, to provide her serval cats with a wonderful home and quality of life i dont believe she is in it for the money at all. The Lady breeder I bought my serval from is a true animal lover, an exceptional lady and not animal user in any shape or form. I had to prove i was serious and committed to the serval i was buying and able to provide a happy and stable long term home. It was only as a result of this, that my bottle hand reared serval cub came home with me. So if you are serious about buying a Uk friendly serval cub, know that it is possible. The lady also breeds Asian leopards in addition to servals but it is mainly for conservation.

I have written this comment only to share my experience with other, as it was only as a result of talking and listening to others that i was successful in owning such a cat

Kindest Regards
Jayne


Jan 06, 2011 Uk serval cub are possible to buy if you are able to provide a suitable home
by: Jayne

Dear all

Just reading all the comments in relation to being able to find and buy a serval cub here in the uk. I would just like to inform those that are serious that it is possible to buy a serval cub here in the UK. I have a house with land and carry a licence to own such a pet.

My serval is very sweet and requires much the same work as any animal of its size and age. The cost of buying / looking after and housing I find to be much the same as my horse. Her outdoor enclosure and building cost much the same as my stable and fencing of a paddock. if the cost of spending many thousand of pounds buying such a pet is a concern, then maybe they are Not the pet for you, as you will spend twice as much providing a suitable home and enclosure. A dog shed and small concrete enclosure is not acceptable for such a high energy and intelligent animal.

I am working class and to get to the stage where own such a cat and able to provide a suitable home has taken my years of hard work and saving. Under my licence, my serval lives in the house and in her outdoor heated building with outdoor enclosure. She is friendly to all, but like all animal she knows who are her family

I looked at importing a cat but with quarintine you end up spending around 8k and you get a cat that hasnt been touched for six months and not so friendly…. There are alot of fakes out there and people saying that they have a cat or cub when they dont..

The cub I bought here in the uk is worth every penny I paid for her. When I looked at the cost the breeder had gone to, to provide her serval cats with a wonderful home and quality of life i dont believe she is in it for the money at all. The Lady breeder I bought my serval from is a true animal lover, an exceptional lady and not animal user in any shape or form. I had to prove i was serious and committed to the serval I was buying and able to provide a happy and stable long term home. It was only as a result of this, that my bottle hand reared serval cub came home with me. So if you are serious about buying a Uk friendly serval cub, know that it is possible. The lady also breeds Asian leopards in addition to servals but it is mainly for conservation.

I have written this comment only to share my experience with other, as it was only as a result of talking and listening to others that i was successful in owning such a cat

Kindest Regards
Jayne


Oct 29, 2009 Please help!
by: Lauren

Hi, i live in norwich and i really really really want a serval. i have read up on them and found out a fair bit about them, but where would i be able to get one?
would i need to get it checked by a vet?
would i have to have a very large house, or area to keep it, or does that not matter?
would i have to get it declawed and neutered?
would i let it out like a normal cat or walk it like you might a dog?
please tell me everything u know about them and where to get them – pppppplease!!!!
xxx


Jul 19, 2009 Owning a Serval in the Uk
by: Anonymous

Hi

I own a Serval here in the UK, his name is Bongo he is a young male Serval.

He was imported and put in our own DWA Quarantine Station. It is possible to own a serval or Savannah here in the UK. Problem will be finding one, you will have to Import.

For photos of Bongo and our other animals have a look at www.utaneko-bengals.co.uk


Jun 23, 2009 Advert
by: Michael (PoC Admin)


Jun 23, 2009 Response to last comment
by: Michael (PoC Admin)

To Mary from Texas: The answer lies in the article on the Savannah cat on this site. I think you are referring to legal issues. Savannah cats are legal in Texas. See this section of the page:

Savannah Cat legalities


Jun 23, 2009 I WISH TO HAVE A SAVANNAH CAT
by: Mary (Texas)

But I don’t know if i could here where i live? Where can savannah’s only live at in the US?? I wish to know?


Jun 23, 2009 London Breeder
by: Anonymous

You may have done this but a major breeder of Bengal and Savannah cats in the UK is Strawbells Pedigree Cats. They are located in London. They may be able to help in respect of the higher fillial cats.

http://www.strawbellcats.co.uk/


Jun 10, 2009 I agree with Michael
by: Deborah-Ann Milette

Yes, A1 Savannahs has a quarantine process here in the states to ship directly to the UK with a breeder there that retrieves your feline and gives to you. You will have to wait for 6 months for an F-1 or 2 unless you want less in lineage where Martin and Kathrin have established breeders in England.


May 25, 2009 Spoken to Kathrin Stucki
by: Michael (PoC Admin)

Hi I emailed Kathrin Stucki in the USA, the number one Savannah cat breeder in the world. The point she made is that they ship worldwide so you don’t have to look to buy from a breeder in the UK. That said they are having a very good year.”We sold all the F1s from the past litter”. As to an F1 Kathrin says this,”I usually recommend people to look into an f2 male instead. Ours are same size as the f1s with the same wild look but less expensive and often less maintenance to have in the house.”

Hope this helps.


Leave a Comment

follow it link and logo