Is it legal to own a serval in Tennessee?
The short answer
Yes. Tennessee's Class I 'inherently dangerous' cat list covers big cats — lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, cheetahs — and the serval isn't on it, which drops it to Class III: no TWRA permit required. Tennessee is one of the best-known serval-legal states.
What Tennessee law says
T.C.A. §70-4-403 classifies by list; unlisted species default to Class III (personal possession allowed without permit). Verify the current list before purchase — classifications get amended.
Which agency regulates servals in Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Tennessee.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None at the state level for Class III ownership; escape/injury liability applies.
Local city and county rules
Several Tennessee cities restrict exotic cats locally.
Legal alternatives in Tennessee
- Sugar Glider in Tennessee — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Tennessee permit for a serval?
No — servals are Class III. Keep purchase documentation and check your municipal code.
Are caracals treated the same?
Like servals, caracals aren't on the Class I list and are generally treated as Class III — verify current classifications with TWRA.
Sources
More animals in Tennessee
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Tennessee?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Tennessee?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Tennessee?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Tennessee 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 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.