Is it legal to own a serval in New York?
The short answer
No. Servals cannot be kept as pets in New York. Environmental Conservation Law §11-0512 bans private possession of 'wild animals,' and the statutory definition includes all non-domestic members of the cat family Felidae — which squarely covers the serval. New York City independently prohibits all non-domestic cats under Health Code §161.01.
What New York law says
ECL §11-0512 makes it unlawful to knowingly possess, harbor, sell, or import a wild animal as a pet, and the ECL's wild animal definition sweeps in all Felidae other than domestic cats. Unlike the fennec fox, servals received no carve-out when the law was drafted in 2005. Owners who registered an animal before the ban could keep that individual animal, but no new servals may be acquired.
Which agency regulates servals in New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in New York.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Accredited zoos, USDA-licensed exhibitors, research facilities, and licensed wildlife rehabilitators under their own regulatory regimes; animals registered with DEC before the 2005 ban were grandfathered for their lifetimes.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Civil penalties that escalate for repeat violations, plus seizure of the animal. NYC can add its own Health Code charges on top.
Local city and county rules
New York City bans all non-domestic cats independently under Health Code §161.01, so the prohibition is doubled in the five boroughs.
Legal alternatives in New York
- Fennec Fox in New York — The world's smallest fox — and one of the few foxes legal to own in several U.S. states.
- Sugar Glider in New York — 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 New York?
New York State treats later-generation Savannah cats (F5 and beyond) as domestic hybrids, but New York City bans all serval hybrids regardless of generation. Early-generation (F1–F4) animals face restrictions statewide.
Can I get a license to keep a serval in New York?
No. DEC does not issue pet licenses for wild animals — the exemptions cover zoos, exhibitors, research, and rehabilitation, none of which permit keeping a serval as a household pet.
Sources
More animals in New York
- Is it legal to own a monkey in New York?
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in New York?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in New York?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in New York 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 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.