Can you legally own an African serval cat?

Serval ownership is banned or permit-only in most US states, and many cities ban it outright even where the state allows it. Later-generation SBT Savannah cats (F4–F5) are treated as domestic cats in most of the country.

How much does a serval cat cost?

Servals typically sell for $6,000 to $20,000 plus permits, enclosure construction, exotic veterinary care, and whole-prey feeding. An SBT F5 Savannah kitten starts at $2,000 with no permits or enclosure required.

Is a Savannah cat part serval?

Yes. Every Savannah descends from an African serval crossed with a domestic cat. F4 and F5 SBT Savannahs carry roughly 4–13% serval, keeping the exotic look with a fully domestic temperament.

Honest comparison

Serval Cat vs Savannah Cat

If you have been searching for an African serval cat for sale, read this first. We breed the domestic cat that comes from servals, so we will tell you plainly what a serval actually requires and what a Savannah gives you instead.

Side by side

The Real Differences

	African serval	SBT F4–F5 Savannah
Legality in the US	Banned or permit-only in most states; many city-level bans.	F4–F5 SBT treated as domestic cats in the large majority of states.
Adult size	25–40 lbs, up to 24 inches at the shoulder.	11–17 lbs for F4–F5, tall and long but house-sized.
Purchase cost	$6,000–$20,000, plus permits and enclosure build-out.	$2,000 for F5 SBT, $3,000 for F4 SBT, all-inclusive.
Housing	Requires a large secure outdoor enclosure. Not a house pet.	Lives indoors with your family. Harness walks outdoors.
Litter box	Frequently marks and sprays regardless of neutering.	Reliably litter trained before going home.
Diet	Whole prey and raw, several pounds daily.	Raw (PMR) or quality commercial food.
Veterinary care	Exotic vet required; many clinics refuse servals.	Any regular small-animal veterinarian.
With kids and dogs	Not appropriate. Powerful, unpredictable with strangers.	Raised underfoot with our small dog and family.

What people usually mean

"Serval Kittens For Sale" Is Usually The Wrong Search

Nearly everyone who contacts us about a serval wants three things: the tall spotted exotic look, a cat that bonds hard with its person, and something rarer than an ordinary house cat. An SBT Savannah delivers all three. A serval delivers the look and then presents you with a wild animal that needs a permit, an enclosure, and an exotic veterinarian.

There is also a safety issue with the search itself. "Serval cat for sale" and "African serval kitten for sale" are two of the most heavily scammed pet searches online — fake catteries take deposits by wire or cash app for animals that do not exist, or that cannot legally ship to your state. If a seller will not video call you live with the animal, walk away.

We are a TICA registered cattery near Las Vegas, Nevada. You can call us, video chat with the kittens, and speak to families who have adopted from us.

Savannah kitten riding in a leopard-print pet stroller from LVHYBRIDS

Exotic designer Savannah kitten with bold spotted coat for sale

Beautiful luxury Savannah kitten for sale from LVHYBRIDS

Close-up portrait of a spotted Savannah kitten

The practical choice

Get The Serval Look, Legally

SBT F4–F5 Savannah kittens from $2,000. Raised underfoot, raw fed, microchipped, TICA registered, and placed with screened families nationwide. Text 702.918.6979 with questions.

Read the breed guide