National News posted Feb 4, 2025 @ 01:05pm by Canadian Press

Woman fined $15K after pleading guilty to buying serval cats in BC

An Alberta woman has been fined $15,000 after she pleaded guilty to illegally importing two serval cats into the province.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife says it's illegal to import or possess the large African wild cats except under strict permits that only zoos can usually obtain.

Wildlife officers found the Okotoks, Alta., woman had purchased the servals in British Columbia and Quebec.

She then brought them to Alberta with plans to breed them.

The Edmonton Valley Zoo is now housing the cats.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says on its website that servals have a poor quality of life when kept as pets.

"These wild cats are not much bigger than a medium-size dog, but they still retain their wild instincts and are cunning escape artists," it said.

"They are difficult to contain in a home or enclosure setting, and pose a risk to their keepers and the public, and even native wildlife if they escape. Their own safety is also in jeopardy in captivity."

Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].