Is it legal to own a serval in South Dakota?
The short answer
Yes, with a permit. Servals are nondomestic Felidae, which ARSD 12:68:18:03 lists among the mammals requiring an Animal Industry Board possession permit ($10 per animal, $100 max). The Board must approve your facilities before issuing the permit, imports require an entry permit plus health certificate, and in-state moves need a veterinary inspection certificate.
What South Dakota law says
ARSD 12:68:18:03(1)(a) covers all nondomestic members of Felidae; permits, fees, annual renewal, escape rules, and intrastate movement certificates follow in ARSD 12:68:18:03.03 through 12:68:18:07.01.
Which agency regulates servals in South Dakota
South Dakota Animal Industry Board is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in South Dakota.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
Yes — the Possession Permit for Captive Nondomestic Mammals, issued by South Dakota Animal Industry Board ($10 per animal, maximum $100).
Penalties and enforcement
Permit denial or revocation; escaped animals become Board property and may be impounded or destroyed at the owner's expense.
Local city and county rules
Municipal exotic-cat bans apply on top of the state permit - check your city's animal code.
Legal alternatives in South Dakota
- Fennec Fox in South Dakota — The world's smallest fox — and one of the few foxes legal to own in several U.S. states.
- Sugar Glider in South Dakota — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Are servals banned in South Dakota like in neighboring Nebraska and Iowa?
No. South Dakota runs a permit system rather than a ban - a $10 Animal Industry Board possession permit with approved facilities makes a serval lawful.
Sources
More animals in South Dakota
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in South Dakota?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in South Dakota?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in South Dakota?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in South Dakota 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 South Dakota Animal Industry Board and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.