Kids campaigning for exotic cat ban among thousands in support of government proposal, says B.C. SPCA

The B.C. SPCA's Sarah Herring and Dr. Andrea Wallace met with minister of water, land and resource stewardship Randene Neill (centre) to discuss the proposed ban of exotic cats in the province. (Courtesy: B.C. SPCA)

The period for public feedback on a proposal to ban several exotic cat species in B.C. has come to an end, after thousands of campaigners - young and old – voiced their support.

In July, the government proposed changes that would ban the breeding, sale and future ownership of all non-native and non-domestic cat species, including servals, ocelots and caracals.

As the official public input came to a close in the final week of September, the B.C. SPCA met with Randene Neill, the minister of water, land and resource stewardship and the name behind the proposal, to discuss their own campaign and the feedback they had received from the public.

According to Sarah Herring, the B.C. SPCA’s government relations officer, 8,000 British Columbians spoke out during the campaign, writing the animal welfare organization personal letters and emails that all championed the proposed ban.

“It was pretty much the same sentiment, that these are wild animals and there’s really no justification for keeping them and breeding them,” she said.

“British Columbians recognize that they really don’t belong as pets, both for their own welfare and for public health and safety.”

During the meeting, Herring and other B.C. SPCA staff presented Neill with numerous posters and letters crafted by children who had attended the SPCA kids camps over the summer. During the camps, kids learned about the issues that arise when exotic animals are kept in captivity, and many were inspired to create something to gift to Neill, thanking her for proposing the amendment.

Some posters depicted drawings of cats with slogans of “let wild animals be wild,” and “exotic cats are not pets,” while letters pointed out how the cats should be a “once in a lifetime wildlife sighting” and not just “another way to make money.”

“They recognized very clearly that exotic animals are still wild animals,” said Herring, “they understand that they suffer.”

Incredibly strong, and “talented escape artists,” exotic cats like servals and caracals are not average pets, and many owners take the animals on without realizing the efforts required to care for them, said Herring.

Noting an incident in 2019 that involved the seizure of 13 exotic cats and kittens from a breeder in Kamloops, Herring said the care for such exotic cats ultimately ends up in the hands of local wildlife organizations – many of which are often too strapped for resources as it is to tackle such additional, large-scale jobs.

The cats were kept in “horrific conditions,” and it was an “incredible amount of work to care for them,” she said. Ultimately the wildlife organisation had to ship the felines to a sanctuary in the U.S., as nowhere in Canada had been equipped to take them on.

According to a statement from the ministry, Neill “deeply appreciates” the letters and thanks the B.C. SPCA for its “advocacy and compassion.”

The ministry said the public has been invited to comment on the proposal, and meetings have been held with stakeholder groups. It did not divulge the number of comments received, or what they involve, only that “all the feedback will be evaluated during the decision-making process.”

Herring predicts there may be a delay to such a process due to the ongoing BCGEU strike. A date for when that decision will be made hasn’t yet been announced.

Should the ban go ahead, current owners would be allowed to keep their exotic cats for the remainder of the animal’s life, provided they apply for a free permit and meet basic care and safety requirements.

“Work is ongoing with wildlife experts and animal welfare organizations to develop clear and enforceable guidelines for existing cat owners to ensure the wellbeing of the cats,” the ministry said.