Is it legal to own a serval in Oregon?
The short answer
No. Servals fall under Oregon's exotic animal definition (non-native felines), and the pet-permit pathway closed in 2010.
What Oregon law says
ORS 609.305 defines exotic animals to include non-native cats; ODA permits are institutional only.
Which agency regulates servals in Oregon
Oregon Department of Agriculture is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Oregon.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Civil penalties and seizure.
Local city and county rules
Statewide framework controls.
Legal alternatives in Oregon
- Sugar Glider in Oregon — 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 Oregon?
Domestic cat hybrids are generally treated as domestic; pure servals are exotic animals with no pet pathway.
Sources
More animals in Oregon
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Oregon?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Oregon?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Oregon?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Oregon 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 Oregon Department of Agriculture and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.