Is it legal to own a serval in Vermont?
The short answer
No. The serval isn't on Vermont's Unrestricted Wild Animals List, so it defaults to needing a permit — and Vermont's rule reserves captivity permits for bona fide research or education, not pets. A pet serval is not allowed in Vermont.
What Vermont law says
10 App. V.S.A. §18 makes possessing an unlisted live wild animal unlawful without a permit, while §5.1(a) bars pet-purpose captivity permits; the serval (Leptailurus serval) is not on the unrestricted list.
Which agency regulates servals in Vermont
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Vermont.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Bona fide scientific or educational permits only.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Illegal possession may result in confiscation, disposal under 10 V.S.A. §4513, and fines.
Local city and county rules
Local ordinances may further restrict exotic cats; none allow a pet serval.
Legal alternatives in Vermont
- Sugar Glider in Vermont — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Can I own a serval in Vermont with a permit?
No — captivity permits are for research/education, not pet ownership.
Are serval hybrids treated the same?
Pure servals are barred as pets; domestic-cat hybrids may differ — confirm with Fish & Wildlife.
Sources
- 10 App. V.S.A. §18 — Importation & Possession of Wild Animals
- VT Fish & Wildlife — Importation & Possession Rules
More animals in Vermont
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Vermont?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Vermont?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Vermont?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Vermont 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 Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.