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Texas Health and Safety code. At the time we initially did our research we knew of NO restrictions on serval ownership. The State law forces local animal control agencies to require registration of "dangerous wild animals". Amazingly, Servals appear on the list of "dangerous wild animals". There were originally two laws that went to the house for approval, one with Servals on the list and another without Servals. I did some research on this topic and found this topic to be extremely political in nature. Although Servals are on the list, Wolves are not. Wolves were removed from the original legislation since many pet owners, who had hybrids of these animals, complained. Savannah's are an up and coming breed that the TICA classifies as "domesticated". A Savannah is a cross between a normal housecat and a Serval. Savannah owners will face the same persecutions that Wolf hybrid owners would have faced had Wolves been kept on the list. Unfortunately, not enough people complained about having Servals on the list. The bottom line is that the state of Texas declares that Servals and other small felines are "dangerous wild animals" just like Lions, Tigers and Bears (oh my). What in the world are they thinking? Those animals can kill you! In all my research I have never found any record of a Serval killing someone, not even a child. I'm sure most have heard of incidents where someone was killed by a dog.

FAQs

He looks dangerous. Could he hurt someone?
Gizmo is fully declawed and has a head and jaw the size of a normal house cat. Gizmo could do about as much harm to someone as an ordinary declawed house cat. A serval has much less potential danger than even an ordinary dog.
How much bigger will he get?
Gizmo is two years old now and that means he has grown to his full potential minus any fat he may put on over the years.
Doesn't State law prohibit these animals?
Absolutely not! The entire section on "dangerous wild animals" is devoted to how these animals must be registered with the local animal control agency. There is one final bullet item that states that the city has the right to prohibit these animals if they chose. The same right they have always had.
Are other states banning servals?
Are you saying that everyone should be able to have a cat like this?
I'm not trying to make any statements to that effect. I believe that owning a serval requires a strong committment and favorable circumstances for raising the animal. It also requires a substantial monetary investment. As far as being "allowed" to own a serval: I believe responsible pet owners should be free to own a pet serval just as I believe they should be allowed to own a pet dog. I also believe responsible individuals should be allowed to own firearms. Unfortunately, there are some irresponsible people out there. I suppose that is why there is so much regulation happening with regard to pets.
Do you have an outside enclosure or try to simulate a natural habitat?
We have raised Gizmo to be a housecat. If we wanted a "wild cat" then we would set up housing such as an outdoor enclosure. We believe that in order to raise a housecat, the cat needs to be acclamated to OUR living environment. Not the other way around. Furthermore, USDA only requires outdoor facilities for breeders of these animals.
How is a Serval different from a Tiger?
Servals can mate with normal housecats. Tigers cannot. Servals prey on small rodents and birds, snakes and frogs. Tigers have been known to eat humans. Servals on average weigh 30lbs. Tigers on average weigh 500lbs. Servals are somewhere at the middle of the food chain. Tigers are at the top. Servals are grouped into the Felis genus. Tigers are grouped into the Panthera genus. There are no documented cases of a Serval killing anyone. There ARE cases where a Tiger has killed someone.
What can I do to help?
  • Call Texas State Representatives to get Servals removed from the "dangerous wild animal" list.
  • Make a donation to help pay for some of the legal costs involved in lobbying for a new bill to remove Servals from the Texas list of "dangerous wild animals". Donate via Paypal or Send Check to:
    Save Gizmo c/o Jeff Miller
    PO Box 161094
    Fort Worth, TX 76161
    • keep the questions coming... 
    
Last updated ---> 04/17/04

    If you have comments or suggestions, email me at Johoffry@Yahoo.com

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