Is it legal to own a serval in Hawaii?
The short answer
No. Hawaii has the strictest exotic-animal law in the country to protect its island ecosystem. Non-domestic cats such as the serval are not on any approved list, so they are prohibited. It cannot be imported or kept, and there is no pet permit pathway.
What Hawaii law says
Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 4-71 bans introducing any live animal not on an approved list; unapproved mammals like this one are prohibited, with narrow exceptions only for government zoos and research.
Which agency regulates servals in Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Agriculture — Plant Quarantine is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Hawaii.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Permits are limited to accredited zoos, research, and exhibition by government agencies — not private owners.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Illegal introduction or possession carries heavy fines and mandatory removal of the animal from the state.
Local city and county rules
County rules cannot loosen the statewide ban; it applies across all islands.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my serval to Hawaii?
No — Hawaii prohibits importing this animal, and pets already owned elsewhere cannot be brought in.
Sources
More animals in Hawaii
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Hawaii?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Hawaii?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Hawaii?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Hawaii 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 Hawaii Department of Agriculture — Plant Quarantine and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.