B.C. proposes ownership ban on certain varieties of cats

Heads up if you’re looking to become a pet owner, the BC Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship is proposing a ban on the ownership of certain types of cats.

The proposal would ban the breeding, sale, and future ownership of all non-native and non-domestic cat species.

Certain cat species are already regulated in the province, like white lions, jaguars, tigers, leopards and cheetahs. However, some cat species aren’t regulated and can still be kept as pets.

“Animal-welfare organizations and wildlife experts with long-standing concerns have called for regulatory measures to address the public-safety and environmental risks posed by exotic cats,” the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says.

If the proposal is approved, every exotic and non-domesticated cat species would be added to a list of around 1,200 species that are designated as “Controlled Alien Species” under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation in the Wildlife Act.

A complete policy manual on Controlled Alien Species is available online.

The species that would be regulated include, but are not limited to, servals, caracals, ocelots, European and African wildcats, Asian Golden Cats, fishing cats, jungle cats, and marbled cats.

There are websites, such as Savannah Canada, that operate in Canada specifically for individuals interested in owning an exotic cat.

Current owners of exotic cats would be allowed to keep their exotic cats for the remainder of that cat’s life, as long as they apply for a free permit and meet the basic care and safety needs of the animal.

“However, breeding, selling or acquiring new animals from these species would no longer be permitted.”

The ministry is open to discussing the proposed changes with interested parties. If you have any questions or comments, please email controlledalienspecies@gov.bc.ca.

The BC SPCA is also urging folks to weigh in.

🚫 Exotic cats like servals, caracals & leopard cats don’t belong in homes.
They’re still legal to breed, sell & keep in B.C.—but that could change.

Tell the provincial government you support banning all exotic cats as pets.
📣 Take action: https://t.co/8PTpct8aCh

— BC SPCA / BCSPCA (@BC_SPCA) July 8, 2025

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