Is it legal to own a serval in Nebraska?
The short answer
No. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-477(2) bans keeping any member of the family Felidae other than the domestic cat, and Game & Parks' published prohibited-wildlife list calls out serval cats - and even Savannah cats - by name. No permit will be issued. Only accredited zoos, government facilities, and a narrow fur-production exception for bobcats and lynx escape the ban.
What Nebraska law says
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 37-477(2) prohibits keeping in captivity any wolf, skunk, or member of the families Felidae and Ursidae, excepting only Felis domesticus, accredited zoos, and permitted bobcat/lynx fur operations.
Which agency regulates servals in Nebraska
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Nebraska.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. AZA/ZAA-accredited zoos and government facilities; animals legally held before March 1, 1986 (grandfathered for life); permitted bobcat/lynx fur-production operations.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Misdemeanor prosecution under the Game Law and confiscation of the animal.
Local city and county rules
City ordinances add nothing here - the state ban is comprehensive and no local permit can override it.
Legal alternatives in Nebraska
- Fennec Fox in Nebraska — The world's smallest fox — and one of the few foxes legal to own in several U.S. states.
- Sugar Glider in Nebraska — 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 Nebraska?
No. Nebraska is one of the few states that bans Savannah cats outright - Game & Parks lists them alongside servals as prohibited Felidae.
Sources
More animals in Nebraska
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Nebraska?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Nebraska?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Nebraska?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Nebraska 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 Nebraska Game & Parks Commission and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.