Is it legal to own a serval in Virginia?
The short answer
No. Virginia's list covers the entire cat family, so servals require a special DWR permit that isn't issued for pets.
What Virginia law says
4VAC15-30-40 lists 'Felidae — All Species — Cats' among predatory/undesirable animals. Permits are wildlife-management-purpose only.
Which agency regulates servals in Virginia
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is the authority for serval (Leptailurus serval) possession in Virginia.
Is there a permit for pet servals?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a serval illegally
Misdemeanor exposure and confiscation.
Local city and county rules
Statewide rule controls.
Frequently asked questions
Are Savannah cats legal in Virginia?
Domestic cat hybrids are generally treated as domestic animals rather than Felidae wildlife; later-generation Savannahs are widely kept. Pure servals are prohibited.
Sources
More animals in Virginia
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Virginia?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Virginia?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Virginia?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.