Is it legal to own a serval in Maine?
The short answer
No. The serval isn't on Maine's Unrestricted List, and as an exotic cat capable of serious injury it lands in the restricted tier where permits go only to exhibitors and research facilities. Maine's captive-wildlife laws are among the strictest in the nation, and a pet serval isn't allowed.
What Maine law says
12 M.R.S. §12152 and IF&W Rule Chapter 7 require a permit for any non-unrestricted species; servals (Leptailurus serval), as large exotic cats, sit in Category 1 Restricted with permits limited to exhibition, rehabilitation, or research.
Which agency regulates servals in Maine
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Maine.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Licensed exhibitors and USDA-registered research/rehab facilities may qualify.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Unpermitted possession is a wildlife violation carrying fines, seizure, and potential criminal liability.
Local city and county rules
Local ordinances may pile on; none permit a pet serval where the state does not.
Legal alternatives in Maine
- Sugar Glider in Maine — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Fennec Fox in Maine — The world's smallest fox — and one of the few foxes legal to own in several U.S. states.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a serval permit as a hobbyist in Maine?
No. Restricted exotic-cat permits are for professional facilities, not pet keepers.
Are savannah cats (serval hybrids) treated the same?
Check with IF&W — later-generation domestic hybrids may be treated differently, but pure servals are restricted.
Sources
More animals in Maine
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Maine?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Maine?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Maine?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Maine 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 Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.