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Serval

Leptailurus serval

Least Concern

We are calling for the end of the practice of breeding exotic felids with domestic cats in the UK.
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Servival Campaign

What's the purpose of the Campaign?

In 2021, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary launched the Servival campaign to ban the breeding of exotic felids with domestic cats within the UK. Of particular concern is the breeding of Servals with domestic cats to produce the 'Savannah Cat'.

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why this practice is not acceptable.

The 'Savannah Cat' breed is motivated by the 'designer pet' trade and fuelled by social media. The breeding of exotic felids and domestic cats (which produces F1 hybrids) should have no place in the 21st Century. It's equivalent to breeding a poodle with a wolf.

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Why is this a problem?

  • The servals involved are often kept in small, inadequate spaces by inexperienced keepers

  • Breeding a 16kg Serval with a 4kg domestic cat is unnatural and unethical

  • Male servals can be aggressive during breeding and are capable of killing female servals, let-alone domestic female cats

  • Their gestation periods are very different:

    • Servals - 74 days

    • Domestic Cats - 63 days

    • This difference causes premature births and the kittens often have to be hand-reared

  • These 'designer' kittens are very expensive and still very 'wild', they are not suitable as house pets​

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how you can help.

  • Don't like or share any social media posts containing hybrid cats or Servals

  • Don't buy cats or kittens online, particularly via social media websites

  • Don't buy a hybrid cat as a pet:

    • These hybrid breeds include:

      • Savannah Cat = Serval x domestic cat

      • Caracat = Caracal x domestic cat

      • Chausie cat = Jungle cat x domestic cat

If you want a pet cat, rescue a domestic cat from a reputable rescue centre.

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at the Zoo.

Servals are wild cats native to Africa, where the biggests threats to their survival are habitat loss and poaching. They have become involved in the exotic pet trade through being kept as illegal pets due to the rise in popularity of hybrid cats known as 'Savannah' cats.

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At Northumberland Zoo, we are home to two servals. We have a female, Afia, who was born in a Zoo and we are also home to Ikati, our male, who was rescued in Europe. Ikate was originally bred for the illegal pet trade and was resuced from living in someone's house. After being cae for by our rescue partners at AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection) in Holland, Ikati arrived with us in late 2024.

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Ikati has been neutered and we have no intention of breeding this pair, they will be companions for each other and advocates for the Servival campaign.

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World Serval Day

March 18th

The Wildheart Animal Santuary on the Isle of Wight launched World Serval Day which is celebrated on the 18th March every year. The purpose is to raise awareness and to discourage servals in the world pet trade. Use the hastag #WorldServalDay in socials to join the conversation.

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At the Zoo, we deliver special Serval talks to help raise awareness of the problems this species faces.

frequently asked questions.

Are Servals happy as pets?

No. Servals are wild animals and should never be kept as pets. They are native to Africa, where they roam savannahs and wetlands in search of prey. Servals are suited to the confines of a domestic setting, they will struggle to contain their wild instincts.

Do savannah cats make good pets?

No, there are many instances of aggression from Savannah cats towards other cats and family pets, children, and owners. Being extremely territorial, they often terrorise neighbourhood pets as they try to secure their boundaries. Peer reviewed research has shown that they urinate more than other breeds, a major complaint from owners as Savannahs regularly spray-mark around peoples’ homes. Their diet can be tricky, particularly in higher filial generations, as they have evolved to eat whole prey items on the plains of Africa, not cat food. They are hyper-aroused, meaning they need lots of attention and stimulation to prevent psychological issues developing. This puts additional pressure on owners. All of this means many Savannah cats get abandoned or returned to rescue centres as owners find themselves unable to cope.

Can I own a savannah cat in the UK?

You need a Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) license to own an F1 Savannah cat in the UK. Unfortunately, trade in lower filial generations occurs regularly online. This practice is wholly unregulated and leads to many problems when new owners are surprised by their new aggressive and unsuitable family pet. This often results in abandonment.

Can someone by a Savannah cat online?

Unfortunately, yes. It is all too easy to buy Savannah cats online. Online purchases are a wholly unregulated and unlicensed way to purchase pets. This directly fuels the suffering of animals in the UK.

 

We support DEFRA’s Petfished campaign that shines a spotlight on the illegal and deceitful trading practices people employ on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and online selling sites.

Should I get a Savannah cat?

If you are a lover of cats or a champion of our native species in the UK, the answer is wholeheartedly and unequivocal NO. The trade in Savannah cats is directly linked to poor welfare and suffering of both the serval founders and the domestic hybrids. Please follow these simple rules when purchasing any pet:

  • Don’t buy a hybrid cat as a pet. Breeds include the Savannah cat, Bengal cat, Caracat and Chausie cats

  • Don’t like or share any social media posts containing hybrid cats

  • Don’t buy cats or kittens online, particularly via social media sites

  • If you are thinking of acquiring a cat, DO get a cat from a reputable rescue centre

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