
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.