Is it legal to own a serval in Georgia?
The short answer
No. Servals are wild animals — and classified as inherently dangerous — under Georgia law. Licenses exist only for commercial and institutional holders with insurance requirements; there is no pet pathway.
What Georgia law says
O.C.G.A. §27-5-5's inherently-dangerous list covers non-domestic cats. DNR's wild animal licenses require commercial purpose, facilities, and liability insurance. Pet ownership does not qualify.
Which agency regulates servals in Georgia
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division (Special Permit Unit) is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Georgia.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Wild animal licenses go to commercial, exhibition, scientific, and educational operations — not pet owners. A narrow permit exists for capuchin monkeys assisting mobility-impaired persons.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Unlawful possession of a wild animal is a misdemeanor under Title 27, with seizure of the animal. Inherently dangerous species add liability-insurance requirements even for the licensed commercial holders who can possess them.
Local city and county rules
The statewide scheme controls; local rules only add restrictions.
Legal alternatives in Georgia
- Sugar Glider in Georgia — 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 Georgia?
Georgia treats domestic cat hybrids more leniently; later-generation Savannahs are generally regarded as domestic. Pure servals are prohibited as pets.
Could I get a Georgia wild animal license for a serval?
Only as a commercial, exhibition, scientific, or educational operation with facilities and insurance — not as a private pet owner.
Sources
More animals in Georgia
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Georgia?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Georgia?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Georgia?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Georgia page, or compare every state on the pet serval laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-02 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division (Special Permit Unit) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.