Exotic Animal Laws By State
By FindLaw Staff | Reviewed by Lisa M. Schaffer, Esq. | Last updated May 21, 2021
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to own a pet monkey, or you’re wondering whether it’s legal for your neighbor to have that cougar in his backyard. Fortunately for your curiosity, every state has exotic animal laws which allow, restrict, or prohibit ownership of certain types of animals. The following article describes some of these state laws in more detail.
New York City And State
All generations of Bengals are banned in New York City.
The regulation was imposed strictly after an incident of a person keeping a tiger as a pet in his apartment.
Some years ago, a small opportunity was available for the owner of Bengals.
They had the option of getting a permit for their cat.
However, now that option has also been closed.
You cannot own a Bengal cat under any circumstances in the state of New York.
What States Is It Legal To Own A Savannah Cat
It is legal to own a Savannah cat in most US states , however, some states have their own specific laws and regulations on what generations can be kept and some require a permit.
Below, you can see the full list:
| State |
Now, do check your local laws at the time of potential adoption to ensure you have the latest information to hand.
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Are Savannah Cats Illegal In California
Do you have your eye on a Savannah cat but are not sure whether it will even be legal to do so? Besides, if you live in, or are soon moving to California, its a fair consideration. And one you definitely need to consider. With this in mind, I spent some time researching the laws and regulations to find out for good.
So, are Savannah cats illegal in California? It is legal to own a Savannah cat in California, even without a permit. This includes Savannah cats of all Filial generations and is true of any hybrid cat that has not been bred or mixed with a big, or serval cat.
Great news, I imagine.
A Savannah cat is still an option for you along with a number of other mixed breeds like the Bengal, for instance.
And this may come as quite a surprise.
Besides, many animals are in fact restricted under Californian Law.
And theres a particularly striking quote in that official California code of regulations. It reads:
b. Domestic cats and hybrids of domestic cats are not restricted.
And thats under the section: § 671. Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Live Restricted Animals.
So we are in the clear.
Nevertheless, there are some things to be aware of when owning this particular cat, or any pet for that matter, in the state of California.
So let us now take a closer look at what is involved in keeping one.
Its important information should you pursue ownership.
Contents
Can I Buy A Serval Cat
While you may be able to acquire a serval cat from a breeder, they are considered wild cats. To own a serval cat, you must create a large, secure outdoor enclosure and provide a warm environment year-round. Ownership of a serval cat is illegal in many locales and requires licenses, permits, and inspections in others.
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What Is A Savannah Cat
A Savannah cat has domesticated cats and wild servals as their parents or ancestors. Because of this, they are hybrid cats. However, not every Savannah has a wild serval as a parent, though all Savannahs some type of wild serval ancestry and exotic genes in them. F1 Savannahs are the only generation that has a wild serval as a parent, along with a domesticated cat.
Every generation after this only has a wild serval as their grandparent or earlier ancestor. However, all generations are considered to behybrid cats. When it comes to the legalities of this, every state is different. Some states allow all generations of Savannahs to be owned, whereas other states only allow the later generations to be owned as pets.
As Savannah cats are the offspring of wild servals, they have a lot of exotic personality and appearance traits that make them different from your average house cat. For example, Savannahs tend to be as much as twice as tall and large as a regular domesticated cat. Savannahs are also very energetic and hyper, much like a wild serval can be!
A Savannah Cats Personality
A Savannah cat is bigger than a regular house cat and definitely looks exotic, thanks to theirserval genes. But what about a Savannahs personality? For the most part, Savannahs dont act too different from other domesticated cats. A lot of their personality traits seem to be heightened, though, thanks to that exotic blood of theirs.
For example, Savannahs are excellent hunters. While some domesticated cat breeds are similar, there arent many breeds that hunt the way Savannahs do. Savannah cats are also very playful and energetic creatures who need to be stimulated mentally and physically each and every day.
Early Savannah generations mainly F1s and F2s do tend to have more serval-like personalities, though they are very friendly creatures as a breed. F1 Savannahs can sometimes be quite loner-like, but they can still be quite friendly with people and other cats and dogs. As long as a Savannah is properly trained and taken care of, you can keep them happy and stable!
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Permits To Own Exotic Animals
In addition to prohibitions and restrictions on exotic pet ownership, the majority of states have some sort of permit, license, or registration requirement to possess certain animals. For example, in Vermont you’ll need a permit to own an anaconda, but not to keep a pet alligator. Idaho requires a permit for tigers and other “deleterious exotic animals.”
However, it’s important to keep in mind that while your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, there are often county or city rules which further restrict or prohibit such ownership. Additionally, state laws are frequently changing as concerns for public safety and animal wellbeing develop further, so you should always double-check to see if there is any new or proposed state or local legislation.
Where Are Savannah Cats Legal
Ownership laws Some states have set more restrictive laws on hybrid cat ownership, including Hawaii, Massachusetts, Texas and Georgia. Some cities may have laws that differ from the state. For example, Savannahs more than five generations from the serval are allowed by New York state, but not by the city of New York.
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What Makes Savannahs Expensive
Establishing a good Savannah breeding program requires a substantial financial investment. It is extremely hard work and demands a wealth of patience. Breeders choose premium foods or raw meat diets to give their kittens the best and healthiest start in life. Veterinarian care and testing are very expensive for a single kitten, immunizations and testing make up a great deal of the price. Gestation periods vary greatly between exotic and domestic cats. Because of this, a great number of kittens are born premature, require incubation, and 24-hour round the clock care. That is extremely time-consuming. As a result, there are a few Savannahs available for buy each year. At present, the public demand for Savannah kittens far outweighs availability.
Where Can I Buy A Savannah Cat In California
Savannah cats can be purchased from registered, authorized, and legitimate breeders individual breeders that specialize in this hybrid breed.
Perhaps the best place to start is with a simple google search.
Something like Savannah Cat California or even this is a search query: Where Can I Buy A Savannah Cat In California?
You will be presented with a range of options, ranging from breeder websites to Facebook pages of such organizations.
That being said, there will likely be breeders in California without an online presence.
Talking with local animal organizations is a good way to become aware of them.
Either way, be sure to do your research and your due diligence.
Just because you can find them on Google does not necessarily mean you should purchase through them.
The Savannah cat Wikipedia explains the generations particularly well.
But essentially, with the filial number all you need to really know is this.
F1 and F2 generations are typically the largest, as they are more like their wild ancestors.
But they tend to be more expensive.
Nevertheless, regardless of the Savannah, you choose to buy, be sure to only do so through a reputable breeder.
One with an honest and fair reputation.
Besides, you need to ensure your Savannah is bred humanely, ethically, and appropriately to ensure they are in good health and not liable to issues and illnesses later in life.
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Are There Waiting Lists
Savannah kittens are in high demand. You may have to wait until new litters are born to get exactly what you want. This seems particularly true of the F1s. Not many breeders devote their programs to producing high generations. Therefore, the number of kittens available for purchase on an annual basis is small. You may also have to wait if you only want a kitten from a specific pairing. Consequently, you may have to add your name to a waiting list and contact several breeders to find a kitten.
Many breeders require a deposit to add your name to their waiting lists. It is not unusual to wait up to 12 months before the kitten of your choice becomes available. Waiting lists are sometimes long and you may decide that you cannot wait so buy a cat from another breeder. As a matter of courtesy, please notify the breeders who have added you to their waitlists. This courtesy helps the next person on their lists.
States Where Bengal Cats Are Illegal To Own
A few states ban ownership of the early generations while allowing ownership of F5 and beyond. Hawaii bans ownership of Bengals in their entirety and some cities have bans or limitations in absence of state laws. Laws are always changing, so make sure to check with the state and local laws prior to obtaining a Bengal cat. The states that ban ownership of F1 to F4 Bengals include:
- Alaska
- Massachusetts
- New York State
As previously mentioned, the only state that has an outright ban on Bengals at all generations is Hawaii. All other states allow ownership of Bengals that are at least F5 and lower.
Some cities also ban the ownership of Bengals. They are:
- Denver, CO
- New York City, NY
- Seattle, WA
The city of Denver recognizes the difference between generations F1 to F4 and allows for ownership of cats that are L5 and lower. Seattle and New York City have total bans on ownership of Bengal cats of any generation.
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Two Things To Know About Petting A Cub
There are some lion and tiger cub exploiters still making the rounds at fairs, flea markets, parking lots and malls who are charging the public $10 $25 to pet a baby lion cub or to play with a tiger cub.
USDA regulations should override state regulations on this matter, but in Florida, the FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has set its own standard that may differ a bit, but not much from USDAs ruling.
Florida law only allows contact up to 25 lbs for exotic cats. Florida law does not protect cubs under that weight limit, despite age.
Public contact and exhibition.
1. General: All Class I, II or III wildlife that will be used for contact with the public shall have been evaluated by the exhibitor to ensure compatibility with the uses intended. All wildlife shall be exhibited in a manner that prevents injuries to the public and wildlife. The exhibitor shall take reasonable sanitary precautions to minimize the possibility of disease or parasite transmission which could adversely affect the health or welfare of citizens or wildlife. When any conditions exist that result in a threat to human safety, or the welfare of the wildlife, the animal shall, at the direction of a Commission officer, be immediately removed from public contact for an interval necessary to correct the unsafe or deficient condition.
2. Class I wildlife shall only be permitted to come into physical contact with the public in accordance with the following:
242-3465
Physical Features And Breeding Techniques
The Savannah’s tall and slim build give them the appearance of greater size than their actual weight. Size is very dependent on generation and sex, with F1 hybrid male cats usually being the largest.
F1 and F2 generations are usually the largest, due to the stronger genetic influence of the African serval ancestor. As with other hybrid cats such as the Chausie and Bengal cat, most first-generation cats will possess many of the serval’s exotic traits, while these traits often diminish in later generations. Male Savannahs tend to be larger than females.
Early-generation Savannahs can weigh 4.5 to 11 kg with the most weight usually attributed to the F1 or F2 neutered males due to genetics. Later-generation Savannahs are usually between 3.5 and 7.7 kg. Because of the random factors in Savannah genetics, size can vary significantly, even in one litter.
The coat of a Savannah should have a spotted pattern, the only pattern accepted by the TICA breed standard. Non-standard patterns & colors include rosetted, marble, snow color ” rel=”nofollow”> point), blue color, cinnamon color, chocolate color, lilac and other diluted colors derived from domestic sources of cat coat genetics.
TICA’s breed standard calls for brown-spotted tabby , silver-spotted tabby , black , and black smoke only.
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Savannah Cats Are Bred From African Servals
The Savannah cat was developed in the U.S. in 1986 after breeders crossed a female domestic cat with a male African serval.
African servals are mainly solitary wildcats. They are widespread in Sub-Saharan countries, weighing between 20 and 40 pounds, with a carnivorous diet that mostly consists of rodents, small birds, frogs, insects, and reptiles. According to Wildcats of the World , servals are able to purr, chirp, hiss, cackle, growl, grunt, and meow.
Other spotted cat breeds that contributed to todays Savannah cat include the Bengal, Egyptian Mau, Oriental Shorthair, and domestic shorthair tabbies.
Do They Get Along Well With Kids And Other Pets
Savannahs are affectionate and tend to be the clowns at the party. You can expect them to get along well with other pets after the initial getting to know one another phase. They like children and can tolerate hugging and other child-like activity. Most Savannahs will move away to somewhere they cannot be reached when they have enough. Savannah Cat Association does not recommend F1 or F2 Savannahs to homes with an infant or small child.
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Are Savannah Cats Legal In Ca
Are Savannah Cats Legal In Ca? It is illegal to own a serval in California without a special permit. Los Angeles Animal Services is working to determine if the cat has an owner.
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Why are Savannah cats illegal? Do you know the answer to this question? Help our community by submitting an answer.
What exotic animals are illegal in California? Some of the animals on Californias banned-as-pets list are familiar: alligators, raccoons, skunks, hedgehogs, chipmunks and squirrels. Some are predictable: No African lions, caimans or gars, please. Others are truly exotic a Gambian giant pouched rat is forbidden as a pet, but youll have to find one first.
Are sugar gliders legal in California? Sugar gliders are illegal to own as pets in a few states, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Although native to Australia and New Guinea, sugar gliders are classified as exotic animals in the US.
Should I Worm My New Kitten
Kittens should be tested for internal parasites and wormed prior to arriving in your home. If your kitten is not exposed to the outdoors, worming should be done at your yearly wellness check. Give flea and worm medicine to any Savannah who has access to outdoors or who are near other outdoor animals. Discuss this with your veterinarian.
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What Happens If Im Caught Owning A Bengal In A State Where Theyre Illegal
In the event youre caught with a Bengal in a state or city that bans ownership of higher generations and your Bengal is F5 or lower, you are not breaking the law. However, if you own higher generations and are caught, you can face anything from a citation and fine with the requirement to become permitted or licensed to giving the cats to a qualified sanctuary. What happens when youre caught owning a Bengal depends on the laws of that state or city and the terms of prosecution.
What Kind Of Veterinary Care Should I Expect My Savannah Kitten To Receive Prior To Coming Home
Your Savannah kitten should have received at least two vaccinations for the standard diseases, be free from parasites, and have been tested for FeLV, PRA, and PK Def or have been negative by parentage in which case you should ask for those tests. Kittens should be 12 weeks of age before leaving their breeder home and are eligible to receive their first years rabies vaccines as well.
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Other Cat Breeds To Check Out:
- Russian Blue
- Thai
- Havanna Brown
If you have never owned a Savannah Cat before, or are interested in reading more information on this amazing breed, check out our Savannah Cat Breed Information page.
Our goal is to help you locate the perfect cat breeder near you one who is reputable, trustworthy, and honest. However, please keep in mind that while we have the largest cat breeder directory on the internet, we cannot personally vouch for any individual breeder that is listed here. Make sure you thoroughly check them out each cattery yourself to make sure they are ethical, honest, and raise healthy, happy kittens!
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