Although serval cats are not included in the provincial Controlled Alien Species legislation, that doesn't mean they should be kept as pets. Serval cats are wild animals. Native to many parts of Africa, serval cats roam savannahs and wetlands hunting for prey. They have a poor quality of life when kept as pets.
These wild cats are not much bigger than a medium-size dog, but they still retain their wild instincts and are cunning escape artists. They are difficult to contain in a home or enclosure setting, and pose a risk to their keepers and the public, and even native wildlife if they escape. Their own safety is also in jeopardy in captivity. Escaped servals have died by being hit by cars or of starvation, since they never had the opportunity to learn how to hunt.
In 2019, the BC SPCA seized 13 serval cats near Kamloops living in horrific conditions. Following months of specialized care, the BC SPCA received federal permits to send the servals to accredited sanctuaries in the U.S. The BC SPCA and over 6,600 supporters then campaigned the provincial Director, Fish & Wildlife to prohibit private serval ownership, breeding, display and importation through existing exotic animal regulations. However, no government action has been taken to date.
Serval cats are strong, fast and have an incredible capacity for jumping. In the wild, servals will leap high into the air to catch flying birds, and can slap fish hard enough to stun them. They are not easily house-trained, and will frequently mark their territory with urine. It is extremely challenging to provide for the nutritional and veterinary needs of a wild cat like a serval in captivity. Without their needs met, they experience poor welfare. There are no accredited sanctuaries in Canada for servals. Their breeding is unregulated and animal welfare organizations are not equipped to house these wild cats.
The BC SPCA has always opposed the declawing of cats. Declawing painfully removes the nails and bones of the toes – comparable to amputating human’s fingers at the last knuckle. In the past, serval cats were declawed when kept as pets, but declawing has since been banned by the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia (CVBC). This means serval cats pose an even greater risk to people and pets in the home. They may scratch while attempting to play, or out of frustration because their wild needs aren't met.
The B.C. Government has the authority to designate certain animals as Controlled Alien Species to prohibit their breeding, sales and possession. Other dangerous cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, lynx, and bobcats cannot be kept as pets in B.C. Right now, serval cats are not on the Controlled Alien Species list, leading to their exploitation, suffering and unregulated breeding. Ask the Ministry to add serval cats to the Controlled Alien Species legislation - email the Director, Wildlife and Habitat.
The BC SPCA encourages all municipalities and governments to adopt exotic pet laws that prohibit the keeping of serval cats and other exotic animals.
[caption id="attachment_2480" align="aligncenter" width="1324"] The Wildcat Sanctuary[/caption]
Subscribe to the BC SPCA's WildSense e-newsletter for more information:
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