That is equivalent to amputating your fingers. She is now three and a half years old. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on August 13, 2014: It isn't substantial because you told me keeping bobcats is "stupid", "inhumane" and that no one can provide a home for the animal, which doesn't really make a real argument. I once saved a baby rabbit from a cat and was informed it was illegal to have it for even that moment, you need to be a licensed rehabber and even then, they only issue these for temporary purposes. If you visit, you can also enjoy the nature trails and picnic tables for a wonderful time outdoors, too. Sharing on Facebook. If you work long hours or travel a lot, the Serval may not be the right companion for you. A willingness to invest money and time into something before you even have it is a very effective way at verifying that you are a. capable of caring for an animal and b. really want to. Exotic cat owners should strongly consider modifying their homes to accommodate double door entrances. I applaud your ability to remain mature and well-worded in the face of illogical and moronic arguments. They are amazing animals and I enjoyed seeing theses photos and videos. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on August 26, 2015: Mrs. Brown first you must find out if it is legal to keep. Exotic cats often need to be anesthetized to be examined. Amazing the expression on his face, the first time I did this Bear pulled back and got very still, looking at me then at my wrist. Ready for their furever home in January. Perhaps if I'm told that same rhetoric a few more times I will stop thinking for myself and cave into your demands. No one can provide the amount of habitat appropriate for a free-roaming wild feline or canid, and providing anything less is cruelty. How can you call yourself a vet professional and make these statements in support of keeping wild animals as pets. In my opinion, cats are much more of an environmental pest than any Bobcat could be, and I am sure the two house wrens nesting in my back yard that we constantly have to protect from the depredations of the kitty next door would agree. I see I'm late to the conversation but DON'T DECLAW THE CAT. ; 6 states do not ban or regulate keeping big cats as pets: Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Delaware, and Oklahoma. Having one of these animals simply to be "fulfilling "is not the right reason to have them. She is very socialized with people and dogs. Heavenly Dickinson on December 03, 2017: I have had quite a different experience with my Bobcat than some. The difference between cats and dogs versus exotic animals is that they have been domesticated over hundreds, if not thousands, of years, becoming acclimated to living in houses and smaller settings of the like. Due to human population taking over their habitats, the number of Servals in existence has dwindled. She is eating chicken, turkey necks, mice and milk 2-3 times a day. So sweet. They are tall and slender, and due to the length of their legs are considered one of the tallest cats. I also don't mind putting in practical hours for a permit or paying for it. He is not a lap cat by any means and takes more work to take care of than a domestic cat, but I wouldn't trade him for anything. 3 male kittens born 01/25/2021. Being bottle raised around lots of other animals. Many websites and organizations would be appalled at the mere thought of owning such an "exotic pet," exclaiming that these animals all “belong in the wild” and that keeping one in a domestic setting is obvious animal cruelty. Born on oct 29th. Super sweet. She wasn't wildly caught, someone brought her to me because the mother had been shot by someone hunting. So it looks like thousand year long domestication does not eliminate these issues. No one should keep exotic pets, as it is inhumane and just plain stupid. You are spreading falsehoods. Servals are a very loving and social animals, which means that as the owner you will need to be available to spend time with your new pet. 4 states have no laws on keeping dangerous wild animals as pets: Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. She watched me for about 20 minutes while I was fishing in a pond. But let me give you some examples Because of the banning of Venomous reptiles California never produced the research that was needed to produce another Antivenin. I would still love to spend time with these wonderful animals. Ready dec-18th. Wild hamsters run miles in a day and even a large 50 gallon aquarium is a pitiful decimal of their nature range, but most people would consider this to be a huge cage for them. All of those animals came from the Ice Age. $15,000. People are much too irrationally paranoid about wild animals. After reading about the furniture and carpets being torn up, I think that I will stick with my dog and cat. Bobcats require specialized vets that have experience with wildlife and exotic animals. In this case, a hybrid cat breed is born and is referred to as the Savannah Cat. Is it it worth it? -Are you aware that idiots keep banning cats left and right and you might in the future need to meet some rigid standards to get grandfathered in, that is if it's not illegal already? There are certainly more states than these states that I have listed. Escape prevention is also a priority with exotic feline ownership. Ripping up carpet and replacing with hardwood or tile and or using throw rugs that you don't mind being destroyed then they will make a great pet for you.". Used with permission. I guess the question people need to ask is why are we keeping wild animals in captivity? I will say not for most of us, definitely not for most of the exotic animals. Bear is 20 months old, he is 23 inches in length neck to rump, stands 15 inches in height from hip to floor and weighs 14 pounds. After about three months of this we removed her Kitty box.. she love to play she love and affection, But would not accept strangers and go hide. That is the most ridiculous statement not based on any form of science or fact whatsoever. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 16, 2015: Unfortunately I don't think that is the case. Yeah, that in this "land of the free". Many suffer or died during transportation. Many people argue that exotic pet owners are not qualified to care for the special needs of their animals. Escape proof is easy and should be the only restriction. She soon learned to use our toilet in the house. great website. As I don't know your location I cannot make recommendations due to legality. The best diet to feed them is whole prey in the form of small chickens or rats. They must be willing to fully anticipate issues like spraying, aggression, the need for outdoor enclosures, and other modifications to accommodate potentially destructive behavior. It's very scared and aggressive due to the sudden human interaction. 'Inferior genetics' is a non-issue since these animals aren't being released into the wild. He does not like any canned cat food, but will eat the dry kitten chow. Bear chose my rocking chair back upholstery for cat scratching and had left the rest of the furniture alone, he does use his cat tree for scratching also. -Is it legal in your state, city, town, or neighborhood? Both parents on site. I understanding Bob's perspective, to a point. As a child I always wanted a big cat as a pet, and the desire never really went away. Hand-raised animals are just simply not the same animals as those that roam in the wild, so pet bobcats are not "wild.". Love does not heal URIs, UTIs, or pay for adequate enclosures. Thank you for the full scoop. Feel free to ca... 3 little boys born November 23rd. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on October 29, 2013: Thanks Carrie. You have to let a bobcat except you.. you cannot force interaction with them. Also, sorry Dronsie, I can't accept all of your comments because they are off topic. male or female as house pet? Ask any keeper at a sanctuary- cruel would be an exaggeration, but if you care about the utmost well-being of the animal, than you aren't going to keep it in less than optimal conditions (in its natural habitat), if you have the choice. It is just a good idea in general to have a designated space for any exotic cat. The downfall is these animals bond and learn to love and want to be around us so you are liable for that unique animals future. Then I noticed movement in the background and she had two small kittens with her. However, it is important to know what specific needs your new pet requires to live a healthy, long life. It is the first of its kind in Asia and features freshwater exhibits and a river boat ride as its main highlights. You'd have to be pretty thick to see no difference. I would take the cat to a qualified vet and verify that it cannot live on its own. You can have a lynx here, and they are of the same size. And those captive bred animals have been proven many times to be genetically inferior, so why encourage the spread of inferior genes? Dogs will roam much further than the perimeter of a typical household if allowed to do so. He eats banana's, watermelon, cantaloupe,apples. I think many of the 'smaller' zoos offer interactions with these animals. They born free and they will always miss their home or their intuitive wilderness environments. One grave concern I have is that I work a lot. This blog is not only ridiculous, but encourages others to follow your misguided example. There are certainly a lot of downsides to taking on the ownership of exotic pets like bobcats. This is mostly because i own a farm and take care of baby animals all them time. I can appreciate the logical approach you took in this hub. (Of course we would be able to feed it and the house has a large area outside for it to roam and we live in the country so food is not a problem because we hunt a lot sooooo yeah). Zupreme and Mazuri are two brands of commercial food that is specifically designed for exotic cats. The Serval is very strong and agile, having the ability to easily jump 10-13 feet. Please fill out the form completely. I did not purchase mine,she was brought to me from someone hunting in the woods and a racoon was after the litter and she was the only one to make it. Non-domesticated animals often don't return like most domesticated cats, and more importantly, despite the lack of statistical evidence, the public will view an escaped bobcat as a safety threat and your animal, if spotted, may be executed on sight. It would be hard for pets to go missing if they were supervised as they should be outdoors. Tropical reptiles and small mammals are often traded internationally and may be victims of the illegal pet trade. I knew it was her because she walked up so close. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on April 20, 2014: Wow Bob, I've never been told that before. Usually after such events occur, even if the animal is safely returned and no one is injured, there will be an onslaught of animal rights activists and uninformed members of the public that will campaign for exotic pet bans as a result. after 3/01/2021 they... Ready valentines day! Animals can easily be overworked when profit-driven operators fail to follow regulations. Delivery can be arranged. Always research any new pet, yet this goes quadruple for exotic felines of any type. Who do I go to for all of this? They can also be taught to fetch, which is a great way to ensure they get plenty of exercise, while bonding with you. Your e-mail message will be routed to the appropriate PETA department immediately. The way I see it God gave us the ability to Co-exist and respect animals, falconry, videos of people being accepted into packs (wolves, lions, meer cats) it's about respect. in most states. Trust me I know, I work with animals everyday including a bobcat. They will be ready to go to their new home as soon as 3/01/2021 Or maybe they’re just too stupid to understand how any life lived, whether it be human or animal, has its trade offs, and we all sacrifice some aspects of freedom for comfort. Like most other cats, they are lively and playful. If the bobcat is expected to spend a lot of time in a cage or be a fully caged pet, large sizes and enrichment are especially essential. The Vet's said he will not be fully mature until he is 3 years old. They are highly successful at spreading across a broad range of habitats because they are highly adaptable to varying conditions. One of them was moving around so I removed it from her womb.. blew air into her nose with my mouth with my hands. This is not something I want to jump into without researching, but there is also a time constraint on availability. First, I do want to agree that even a hybrid Bobcat is quite different than any cat I have ever owned and over the years I have had several. I have also leash trained him so we can go for walks on our 2 acres. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on November 01, 2014: Lissa Clason, I think that might have to do with them being native wildlife. I know that they rule a large territory. After about two weeks, he no longer breaks the skin, nor does he draw blood on me. He also likes cucumbers and tomatoes :) He will not eat cooked meat at all. First time owners should not expect to keep them indoors, for exotic cats, there should be a large outdoor enclosure by default that can be attached to your home to make them indoor-outdoor. She soon developed the desire to roam around. Will drive up to 4 hours to meet you or you can fly into Tampa and you can carry under seat. It is interesting to note that most of the purple/violet colored birds seen are male species of that bird type, whereas the females of the same species may be of any other color. You work with previously 'wild' animals so you must not know too much about hand raised exotics. They also should be fed a raw food diet that needs to be researched to ensure proper nutrition from organ meats, bones, muscle meat, and any other supplementary forms of nutrition in addition to whole prey items. ONLY ONE BOY LEFT!! I don't know of any specific vet, but since they are legal here I wouldn't think that is a problem. I didn't mean 'caught' literally, but I know there are laws in most states surrounding animals that originate from the wild and haven't been bred in captivity (bobcats are illegal in most states even if they are captive-bred). She became a very big part of our family life. They thrive in moist climates and are most often found in the wetter portions of Africa. But only on their terms. While wild bobcats are unfriendly and bold predators, the dynamic dramatically changes when these animals are hand-raised from babyhood by humans. I’ve wanted a bobcat as a pet ever since I read about them in Zoobooks some 30 years ago. F6sbt savannah x Serval. People need to understand that wild animals need a different kind of care. 3 baby boys. What a dangerous statement. Live feeding is not only unnecessary; it is inhumane. Servals are poly-estrous, which means they are able to breed several times a year. When a female goes into heat, she is only fertile for up to four days. If a Bobcat were to escape, it would simply integrate itself into its natural environment. I do not want an only outdoor pet, indoor/outdoor is what I think is best for most animals. Both kittens run to you for attention, rub on you, and never stop purring. Exotic Animal Breeders. Some unstable people have kept these animals and they were designed for living in the wild, but that does not mean that people cannot do a good job of keeping them or that all owners are unstable. The same thing is happening here in the US. Videos of her chasing a laser light all over the house. Bear is EXTREMELY loyal to me and wants to be wherever I am most all the time. The Serval may share many of the same instincts and traits as other cats, but they have very distinctive physical characteristics. I totally agree that the use of "stupid" isn't a helpful word to use in my argument, but many people keep exotic pets in inhumane conditions. (Even though Repticon does not prohibit you from bringing two animals to the show, state or local laws may prohibit this. I've also heard of deer and raccoons being taken. She was born 9/30/20, and is 4 months old. Since they are native to Africa where most everything is brown, their unique striped and spotted coat allows for the perfect camouflage. Exotic pet owners often get a bad rap due to some people who do not expect to adapt to their animals' needs and impulsively or naively adopt animals that they are not equipped for. I am concerned about 10 to 15 hour periods of time when I am working. In general, bobcats are considered to have the best personality of the exotic felines (other small to medium sized exotic cat species that are kept as pets include lynx species, caracals, servals, ocelots, Geoffroy’s cats, fishing cats, Asian leopard cats, and jungle cats). They've been raised in the house with other animals, used in educational programs, and are incredible all-around cats. Creating an environment in which the Serval can be energetic and playful without destroying your property or getting hurt is important. I love learning about the animals in my state, … Talk to wild cat sanctuaries like the famous Big Cat Sanctuary that has saved several pet bobcats previously kept as pets. Bobcats are not legal as pets without a permit (only provided to educators, zoos, research, animal sanctuaries, etc.) I live in Nevada where they are legal as far as I can tell. If it is something they do but can be taught not to do, I am ok with it and willing to train. With such a capability, this may call for labeling bobcats as "potentially dangerous" to humans, however, outside of animals infected with rabies, there are few, if any, incidents of bobcat attacks, as well as no recorded deaths from them, wild or captive. $4750 if deposit is given and pick up arrangements made in advanced. Will meet you at the airport. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on September 02, 2013: Hi Dronsie. Click on any state for a listing of exotic animal breeders in the state. Recently, many states are joining the ranks of outlawing everything feline except domesticated cats despite minimal public safety issues. I tried to change him to an adult cat food, Blue Buffalo and he wouldn't touch it. 100 percent serval. He will follow me around the house and lay in a chair or next to me on the sofa. Many breeders choose to mate a Serval with another domestic cat. closed, i. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on February 01, 2014: Kalmiya from North America on February 01, 2014: What gorgeous cats! When I think of bobcat...I think of aggressive wild felines. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on October 24, 2013: Yes, fine is OK by my standards. They don't care about your perceptions of their desires and do fine in captivity. He's a great little guy I hate seeing him so scared please let me know what I can do for him. For some years I've wanted to get a bobcat. It or they would get plenty of attention while I am home. Though they are not yet threatened with extinction, they are being closely monitored in their natural habitat. Many require special care and live for a long time. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 15, 2013: Nadia Archuleta from Denver, Colorado on May 15, 2013: Lindemann, my cat, liked the purring bobcat. He has complete freedom during the day in the house. Old McDebbie’s Farm is a unique place to see a variety of animals and to spend some time fishing at the pond. And I didn't want her to die out in the woods. I have many photos of her sleeping in the bed with us. Bobcats are native to many areas in North America, including most states in the U.S, in which they are also the most abundant wild feline. I am now a (Semi) mature adult. Female African serval kitten for sale please check your bylaw and municipalities to make sure your allowed. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on July 22, 2014: Bobcats are their own animal Raimer, and nowhere near as large as lions, therefore not as dangerous. Complete Animal Breeders List Recently, I've debated my own reasons and wondered if my simple desire to have one (and wholehearted love for whole felid family) was enough. Also in another source: "Mountain lions, bobcats, axis deer, rusa deer, sambar deer, sika deer, roe deer, whitetailed deer, foxes, skunks, raccoons, dholes, Asian raccoon dogs, mongooses, meerkats, European rabbits, multimammate rats, bats, nutria, coypus, coyotes, wild pigs, moose, reedbucks, oryx, addax, gemsboks, blesboks, bonteboks, topis, hartebeests, wildebeests, chamois, tahr, ibex, wild goats and sheep, red deer, and elk/wapiti are banned.". Such cages should be tested for durability. We have a bill of rights but in my life I have been interested in animals since I was 5 years old. So again, you'll have to do better than that. The person that will do it will be one of the breeders that find it to be profitable ( which would of already happened) or it some crazy guy or gal that will spend the time that is need to do the husbandry, unfortunately they have to have the animals. She was allowed to go outside with family members to explore. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on April 16, 2014: Thanks phildazz. Despite reaching a height around that of a medium-sized dog, they often hunt animals like deer with impressive skill. I never would have thought of them as pets! Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on November 08, 2014: I know Stewart, a lot of people keep forgetting that even if they hate pet ownership, living with a human is better than being a fur rug. The elusive bobcat is actually technically less “exotic” than domesticated cats in most states, if "exotic" is defined as "not native to the United States." With the exception of a few, I've read over the comments on your page. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on January 07, 2020: Alyssa: I wouldn't recommend an exotic cat for most people as their first exotic animal. "Hand-raised animals are just simply not the same animals as those that roam in the wild, so pet bobcats are not "wild"." Just wondering where would you get one and how much they would cost and I have been thinking this over many months. They need a safe place to retreat to so that they can have their own space, like a small dog run. If exotics end up in the shelter I will consider rescuing them. A Serval can easily be domesticated and are often revered by cat lovers. Fwc and usda facility, Super loving serval boys. Sorry about that, but the good news is any other feline is OK. Nevada has the most lenient exotic pet laws in the country. She was only a few days old and didn't have her eyes open. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 15, 2015: Some questions you should be asking yourself are. I recommend insuring that this isn't the case with your animal, or you might want to lay low. Mine hates being outside si ask me if he would rather be in the wild. In Charleston, South Carolina, for example, drivers are supposed to take the rectal temperature of horses after a tour when the temperature reaches 85 degrees or above, to determine if they can keep working. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on August 15, 2014: So when a dog barks excessively why do people blow this off as typical behavior? Though they are relatively small cats, they still need plenty of space to climb and play. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on October 22, 2013: Thanks alannahbale. I only know a a few people left in California that have the skills needed to handle. Like most other felines, a Serval enjoys a certain amount of independence. Similarly for dogs and cats not all exotic animals have these problems. In fact, one bobcat owner had this to say about their house pet: "If you are willing to put up with your house being destroyed, furniture torn to shreds on a daily basis, remodeling your house to include double door entries at all exits of the house. Bobcats are not legal to own in California, Connecticut, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Hawaii, and Maine. I find love to be all well and good (and certainly essential) but, much like raising human children, a high degree of logic and higher reasoning needs to be applied to our animal children as well. If a potential owner is willing to understand the non-domesticated behavior of an exotic feline species, Bobcats are one of the more rewarding exotic mammals to own and keep content in captivity. When raised from infancy, and properly socialized, they can be the perfect companion for humans and other domesticated animals. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 21, 2013: Haha, yep exotic animals tend to be unpopular as pets for a reason, but the rewards for some make it worth it. Just in time for Christmas. I am now trying to find a dry food for Big Cats to order for him to try. No one spends $2,000+ on permits and construction, plus hundreds of hours, without a good reason. I don't think dogs have inferior genetics. Leash walking is inherently risky. I don't want to guess, but I think you mean some other state with M and S in their name, not Mississippi. Michelle Lee from Portland, Oregon on May 21, 2013: I have always wanted something "exotic" as a pet. The most important things to consider is the impact it has on their quality of life, and I don't believe for a second this is a sign of poor welfare in my dog. They are very cool by require a dedicated caretaker. This is his space to retreat to, at night we close the door and let him out around 6:00am in the morning. Ive had all types of wild life. ... Connecticut, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Mississippi… Unlike other domesticated animals, should they escape it is unlikely they will return on their own. But, when one considers the care domesticated (and popular exotic) animals get, it is easy to see that perhaps pet owners should be required to educate themselves better. I would not recommended them as pets but if someone has giving you this bobcat as a kitten with the eyes. Get in touch with people who own them by visiting message boards, or if you know of any, talking to bobcat owners or people who have worked with them in facilities. As for that clown ‘Bob’ who posted 4 years ago, or anyone like him for that matter, perhaps they are the ones with mental disorders if they’re incapable of understanding the symbiotic nature humans have always had with other animals. But I suppose shades of gray ‘are’ more difficult to understand than black and white… ;p. Hey guys I am planning on getting a bobcat as a pet and plan to be redoing my house and such to accommodate my friend but I need two years experience working with one, where would I be able to do that, any help would be appreciated! Below is a list of purple-colored birds, where the color purple/violet is the more prominent color of its plumage. I have one cat that is supposedly part bobcat. Just no bears, wolves and lions. Although I have no intention of ever keeping a pet bobcat, we have one that lives adjacent to our property (in the wild) and I enjoy those frequent sightings. Please create a more substantial comment next time. Only rare people would want to have bobcat in home. Usda permitted. They are bottle fed and super well socialized. Having a bobcat at home feels like owning a lion as pet. Captive animals have such an innate need to cover their range that when left in something like a 1-acre enclosure (for a wolf), which would be compared to a human living out of their truck for the rest of their life, it makes them stir crazy, and there are many cases where animals can develop neurosis from the experience. The trouble is deciphering what the 'right owner' of a small exotic feline is. The exception to that is when he is on his cat tree, which I had to order one with a huge square base so he wont knock it over when he jumps up. I've kept the other one since I was given them by someone that knew I know how to take care of them when they are a baby. Because Calif ban commercial reptile collecting and sales we have never learned how to breed many of the very cheap animals in Captivity and there is no interest in the Scientific or educational institutions to do it. Now you have to have a zoo license to keep one, and most people who had them as pets were forced to send them to a zoo somewhere. I am 14 and me and my father are considering getting a bobcat, he told me to research as much as I can about safety, legality, care, etc... we have never owned an exotic animal before but have plenty of experience with many other household pets (not that we expect them to be the same) we are not the best financially and we are concerned we may not be able to afford veterinary bills and more, do you have any advice on what we should do? A cougar was my top childish choice. Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 23, 2013: Mel Carriere from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on May 23, 2013: I wholeheartedly agree with your take that Bobcats are less "exotic" than domesticated cats are. Although they prefer dense forests, sometimes the cats can even be found in swamps, deserts, and even urban settings, “Bobcat” by John Fowler is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean it isn't substantial.