Spotted!
More and more servals...
A worrying trend
With their large ears and spotted coat, the serval is a beautiful animal. But their remarkable appearance also makes them very popular. This is a worrying trend, because this wild cat is anything but a suitable pet…
In Europe, we are seeing this African predator pop up more and more, both in the news and at AAP. Never before have we received so many requests to take in servals and other wild cats as we have in the past few years.
Damaged for life
In recent years, we have become increasingly concerned about the trend to keep servals and other wild cats as pets. Our concerns go beyond the sharp teeth and claws these animals have and which can severely injure people and other animals, and include the welfare of the animal. These sensitive, agile and territorial animals suffer immensely because of this latest pet trend.
The story of Xirus and Tafkap are an illustration of the many servals we come across at AAP. The two serval kittens were kept as pets and, due to poor nutrition, they developed severe calcium deficiency (this is unfortunately very common), resulting in bone deformities and broken bones. Only three months old and already scarred for life. After this traumatic start to their lives, Xirus and Tafkap were taken in by AAP. Now they are with one of our outplacement partners and have access to a large outdoor enclosure and a natural diet.
Servals at AAP
We receive many requests from Dutch owners to take in their servals. Many people do not realise that the cute serval cub becomes an adult predator with sharp teeth and claws, and with a hunter’s instincts and behaviour. These animals belong in the wild, on the savannas of central and southern Africa.
Interested to learn more about servals and what AAP is doing to prevent their suffering? Scroll down the page for our serval Q&A.
Video: more and more servals (in Dutch)
Positive List
AAP has been campaigning for years for the introduction of a Positive List to prevent the ownership of unsuitable exotic pets. Such a list (known in the Netherlands as the “huis- en hobbydierenlijst”, or “list of domestic and hobby animals”) contains animal species that have been deemed safe and suitable by independent experts for keeping as pets or hobby animals. All species not included on the list are automatically prohibited.
The serval is not included on the positive list for mammals in the Netherlands. This means that since 1 July 2024, it is no longer permitted for private individuals to keep a serval. Unless the serval was already kept in the Netherlands before 1 July 2024, then it is subject to transitional law. This serval may remain with its owner until its natural death, but may also be passed on or sold. However, it may no longer be bred. AAP is pleased with this list, as it will prevent a great deal of animal suffering!
Questions and Answers - Servals in the Netherlands
The serval (Leptailurus serval), also known as the African serval or locally as the bush cat, is a solitary, territorial animal that lives on the savannas and grasslands of central and southern Africa. They are slender, agile wild cats (can jump over 2 meters in height) that have a shoulder height around 60cm and can live up to 20 years.
They usually live alone in a territory of 10 to more than 30 km2 and cover on average more than 2km per day. They are crepuscular carnivores, hunting usually at dawn or dusk. They have a diet of rats, frogs, birds, reptiles and sometimes small gazelles.
Good question, often we don’t quite know why a particular animal species all of sudden becomes popular in the pet market. While the exponential growth in the wildlife pet trade coincided with the introduction and access to the internet, the wild animal pet trade is generally build around fads and trends. Research for example has also shown that (social) media and movies play a critical role in the popularity of an animal. This is often because animals are portrayed as cute, funny or in other positive ways whereas the problems behind the keeping of such an animal as pet receives little attention.
This is why AAP advocates for a proactive regulations that would prevent the exploitation of animals that really shouldn’t be pets. Want to learn more about our advocacy work? You can find more information on this page about the Positive List.
While domesticated cats could make good pets, servals are not domesticated. They are wild animals with all the needs and behaviours of a wild animal. As a result, the welfare of a serval will be compromised when kept as a pet. Servals need space, have hunting instincts, are territorial and solitary – not a description of an animal appropriate to live in a house or apartment.
Yes and no, it depends where you are within the European Union (EU). For example, in Belgium it has been illegal to keep servals as pets since 2009, in Luxemburg since 2018 and in the Netherlands since 2024. However, in France (certificate of capacity required), Germany and Greece it is still legal. Simply put, it’s a patchwork within the EU when it comes to deciding which animals can or cannot be kept as pets. This is not only the case with servals but with all animal species!
AAP together with NGO partners across Europe are advocating to fix this patchwork by introducing one list of species that may be kept within the EU. This regulation is called a Positive List – you can find more information about this regulation in our Q&A.
The reality is that many countries have never assessed whether a serval is a suitable pet. In countries, where animal welfare and other risk assessments have taken place. the serval is usually not allowed to be kept, bred or traded as pet.
We believe that if such assessments would be conducted with other wild animal species currently kept as pet, that the majority of species would be deemed unsuitable because the negative consequences to animal welfare, public health and safety, and biodiversity would simply be too severe.