July 8,2025
RED FM News Desk
The B.C. government has proposed a province-wide ban on owning exotic cats.
If implemented, the ban would add all exotic and non-domesticated cat species to the list of roughly 1,200 “controlled alien species.” This includes servals, caracals, ocelots, European and African wildcats, Asian golden cats, and others.
Under the proposal, breeding, selling, or acquiring new exotic cats would be prohibited. However, existing owners would be allowed to keep their animals for the rest of the cats’ lives—provided they apply for a free permit and meet basic care standards. The government has not yet provided a timeline for when the changes could take effect. Violating the regulations on “controlled alien species” in B.C. can result in penalties ranging from fines between $2,500 and $250,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
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