Exotic cat found roaming around Vancouver is prohibited as a pet, city confirms
An exotic feline found prowling through Vancouver’s Shaughnessey neighbourhood is prohibited as a pet in the city, staff confirmed Friday.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service was called to help police wrangle the wayward cat on Wednesday. At the time, conservation officers identified it as a savannah cat, a hybrid between a wild serval and a house cat.
The incident caught the attention of Carole Baskin, co-star of Netflix’s “Tiger King” documentary and owner of an exotic cat sanctuary, who posted on Twitter that the animal was actually a serval.
Dr. Sara Dubois, chief scientific officer at the BC SPCA, has seen servals in the wild and in captivity, and she agreed with Baskin’s assessment.
Whether it was a savannah or a serval, neither is allowed in Vancouver.
“It's definitely something concerning that an exotic cat that is illegal to possess in the city was returned to the owner,” said Dr. Dubois.
In an email to CTV News, the city wrote that under its Animal Control Bylaw, “felids are prohibited with the exception of domestic cats. A serval is considered a felid.”
When asked why the suspected serval was given back to the owner, the city said animal control officers were not present at the time, but that they are looking into the situation.
Adding to the confusion, it’s possible that the conservation officer did not know servals and savannahs are not allowed in Vancouver – because owning them is not prohibited by the province.
The BCCSO sent a tweet explaining that savannah cats are not part of B.C.’s Controlled Alien Species regulation, which bans 1,200 species in the province and requires a permit to possess, breed, ship or transport any of the animals.
In an email to CTV News, the Ministry of Forests wrote, “The animals initially prioritized for the Controlled Alien Species regulation list were those most likely to pose a potential threat to people, property, wildlife and wildlife habitat.”
Dr. Dubois said the list should also consider the risk that is posed to the exotic animal itself.
She said often times, servals end up in vet clinics with metabolic bone disease because cat food does not offer the proper nutrition to these wild animals.
“I think we need to have a bigger conversation and ensure that the province moves forward on the commitment to increase the Controlled Alien Species list to protect animals for their own welfare,” she said. “It is extremely challenging to keep these animals in any good condition in a private home. And so hopefully, the owner will recognize that we want to support them in actually getting this animal that life it deserves.”
The ministry said staff is undertaking a review of the regulation and no decision has been made at this time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Tips to make a house or apartment safe and accessible for older adults living at home
Here's a summary of tips from the U.S. National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.
Here are some gardening questions, answers
When it comes to gardening, a lot of questions come up, including the best way to keep pets away from plants, maintaining your lawn and keeping the dandelions at bay.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.