Image Credit: BC SPCA

By Ashley Legassic

SERVAL CATS

More than a dozen serval cats seized from Little Fort breeder

Jul 2, 2019 | 2:49 PM

KAMLOOPS — 13 serval cats in distress have been seized from a Little Fort breeder.

The BC SPCA has seized 10 adult serval cats and three serval kittens in distress, and the organization says the exotic cats were found in “horrific” living conditions.

“Serval cats are wild African cats who require extensive space to run and a highly enriched environment to express natural play and hunting behaviours. They are carnivores and require a very specialized diet to meet their physical needs, including proper bone development,” says Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the BC SPCA. “The idea of these beautiful wild animals being confined in captivity is disturbing enough, but in this case, the animals were kept indoors in substandard conditions, without access to the outdoors or exercise.”

According to a news release, the SPCA was alerted to the breeder after receiving complaints of sick and injured animals being sold.

Most of the servals were allegedly being kept in RV trailers on the property, exposed to high levels of ammonia from urine, with litter boxes overflowing with feces, without proper ventilation or access to water. The RVs became very hot and the windows were covered so the cats had no natural light.

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The animals were removed and are being cared for at an undisclosed location.

“This is a case we see commonly with substandard breeders, where they have a very attractive website and people are unaware of how distressing the actual living conditions are for the animals. All interactions are online and buyers never visit the property,” says Moriarty. “Unfortunately, there are certain people who are drawn to the attention they receive by owning an exotic animal, but it is so distressing to see these beautiful wild animals suffering because of people’s desire to have a novelty pet and the breeders who profit from it.”

Breeding of serval cats is unregulated in BC. Along with the serval cats, two dogs and one domestic cat were seized.