Is it legal to own a serval in Idaho?
The short answer
Yes, with a permit. Idaho names the serval expressly among small Felidae deleterious exotic animals, so you need an ISDA possession permit before acquiring one. It's a real pathway, but a demanding one - a departure from big cats, which are AZA-only.
What Idaho law says
Under IDAPA 02.04.27, the serval is listed among small Felidae deleterious exotic animals; no person may possess a deleterious exotic animal without a possession permit issued by the ISDA administrator, granted case-by-case with facility and containment requirements.
Which agency regulates servals in Idaho
Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Idaho.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
Yes — the Deleterious Exotic Animal Possession Permit, issued by Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture.
Penalties and enforcement
Unlawful possession penalties with seizure of the animal.
Local city and county rules
Municipal and county rules may bar exotic cats outright regardless of the state permit.
Legal alternatives in Idaho
- Fennec Fox in Idaho — The world's smallest fox — and one of the few foxes legal to own in several U.S. states.
- Sugar Glider in Idaho — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Is the serval banned outright in Idaho?
No - unlike large felids that require an AZA facility, the serval is a permittable small felid under a deleterious-exotic possession permit.
What does the permit require?
An application to ISDA with facility maps, containment and escape-prevention plans, and a pre-arrival inspection.
Sources
More animals in Idaho
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Idaho?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Idaho?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Idaho?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Idaho 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 Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.