Peace region residents urged to support ban on exotic cat ownership

FORT ST. JOHN — North Peace residents are urged to support a ban on exotic cat ownership in British Columbia for public safety.

On July 8th, the Government of BC announced a proposed ban on the breeding and ownership of non-native and non-domestic cat species. 

These cat species include servals, Asian leopard cats, caracals and Geoffroy’s cats.

The BC SPCA is asking people in the Peace region and the rest of the province to share feedback on its advocacy for the regulation.

Dr Sara Dubois, chief scientific officer with the BC SPCA, said the breeding and ownership of cat breeds can threaten the safety of owners and communities. 

Energeticcity.ca asked the North and South Peace BC SPCAs about incidents of exotic breeds in the area but they not could not provide specific details or numbers of instances.

“There is no good captive situation for these animals, so we need to really stop this pipeline of breeding and exploitation,” said Dubois.

“Pets have been killed by these animals, we’ve seen livestock killed by these animals, they don’t thrive in captivity.”

She said the animals can also suffer from metabolic bone disease, which can lead to a shorter life expectancy. 

Dubois referenced a 2019 investigation into a serval cat breeder in Kamloops.

“We had a few dozen serval cats that were found living in really horrid conditions on a property from someone who’s breeding them and selling the kittens,” said Dubois.

Dubois said the cats had to be sent to a sanctuary in the United States. 

“It was quite an undertaking, it took months of work to facilitate that, because they require permits to go over the border,” said Dubois.

“The reality is those animals were taken to safety and these are animals that people could have on large properties, but no one knows.

“You might not know that your neighbour has exotic pets because you’re not seeing them.”

Dubois said the BC SPCA had been speaking to the government for months and all that is needed is more public support.

“We are asking the public to support this by signing a letter saying that they’re adding their voice and they are asking the government to move ahead with this change,” said Dubois.

She also notes the ban would not affect the ownership of some hybrid cats such as Bengals and savannas. 

People can advocate for the regulation of exotic cat ownership here.