Savannah cats, a hybrid breed created by crossing a domestic cat with an African Serval, are subject to varying legal restrictions across the United States. Here is an overview of the legality of owning Savannah cats in different states, categorized by their generations:
States Allowing All Generations (F1 to F5 and beyond):
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware (with a permit)
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana (some counties may require permits)
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland (if the cat is under 30 pounds)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico (some cities may require permits)
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (some cities or counties may have restrictions)
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington (except Seattle)
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States Allowing Only Later Generations (F4 and beyond):
- Alaska
- Colorado (illegal in Denver)
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York (F5 and later, illegal in New York City proper)
- Vermont
States with Specific Restrictions or Bans:
- Georgia (Not allowed at all)
- Hawaii (Not allowed at all)
- Nebraska (Not allowed at all)
- Rhode Island (Not allowed at all)
- Texas (Allowed in some counties with strict permits, such as Aransas, Bell, Coryell, Ector, Guadalupe, Harris, Kaufman, Lubbock, Mason, and Ward. Montgomery county allows F4 and subsequent generations without a permit)
oai_citation:1,States That Allow Savannah Cats ⋆ Complete list
oai_citation:2,Are Savannah Cats Legal? In What States? | Hepper
oai_citation:3,Are Savannah Cats Legal in the US? What You Need To Know | Pet Keen
oai_citation:4,Are Savannah Cats Legal In California?.
It’s essential to check local city and county regulations as they can impose additional restrictions beyond state laws. For example, while Colorado allows F4 and later generations, Denver has placed a ban on all Savannah cats. Similarly, New York state allows F5 and later generations, but they are banned in New York City.
Before acquiring a Savannah cat, ensure that you understand the specific legal requirements in your area to avoid potential fines and the risk of confiscation of your pet.