B.C. seeks to claw back future ownership and breeding of exotic cats

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government is proposing to ban the breeding, sale and future ownership of all exotic and non-domestic cats, including servals, ocelots and European wildcats.

The proposed changes would add the cats to the list of about 1,200 animals already designated as “controlled alien species” under the provincial Wildlife Act.

A statement from the government says the changes respond to “long-standing concerns” from animal-welfare organizations and wildlife experts about public safety and environmental risks that such animals pose.

The government says the changes would also benefit the animals themselves by creating standards for their keeping.

The proposed legislation would allow current owners of such cats to keep them until their deaths, provided they apply for free permits.

Provincial law already prohibits the ownership of large cats such lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cheetahs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press