Is it legal to own a serval in Connecticut?
The short answer
No. Connecticut's potentially dangerous animal statute covers wild felids, and servals are banned as pets with institutional exceptions only.
What Connecticut law says
C.G.S. §26-40a and DEEP's importation rules combine to close private ownership of non-domestic cats.
Which agency regulates servals in Connecticut
Connecticut DEEP is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Connecticut.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Criminal penalties and seizure.
Local city and county rules
Statewide ban controls.
Legal alternatives in Connecticut
- Sugar Glider in Connecticut — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Are Savannah cats legal in Connecticut?
Connecticut is cautious with hybrids; later-generation Savannahs are generally treated as domestic. Pure servals are banned.
Sources
More animals in Connecticut
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Connecticut?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Connecticut?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Connecticut?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Connecticut page, or compare every state on the pet serval laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-03 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Connecticut DEEP and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.