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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.