The Province is proposing regulation changes that would ban the breeding, sale and future ownership of all non-native and non-domestic cat species.

While lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and cheetahs are already regulated in B.C., other exotic cat species are not, allowing them to 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.

If approved, all exotic and non-domesticated cat species would be added to the list of approximately 1,200 species already designated as “controlled alien species” under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation in the Wildlife Act. This includes, but is not limited to, servals, caracals, ocelots, European and African wildcats, Asian golden cats, fishing cats, jungle cats and marbled cats.

This change would provide consistent and enforceable guidelines to strengthen protections for communities, native wildlife, ecosystems, pets and exotic cats themselves.

It would also allow current owners to keep their exotic cats for the remainder of the animal’s life, provided they apply for a free permit and meet basic care and safety requirements. However, breeding, selling or acquiring new animals from these species would no longer be permitted.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will continue to engage with the public as the proposed amendments move forward. To ask a question or comment on these proposed changes, email: controlledalienspecies@gov.bc.ca.

Learn More:

For more information about controlled alien species in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/cas