For a time, it was illegal to own a Bengal cat in Australia. They were considered “too wild” and posed a danger to local wildlife. This is no longer the case and the possession of a 5th generation Bengal is now allowed in Australia. A permit is not required. In particular, this article aims to answer the questions: Do you need a permit to own a Bengal cat? In which states are Bengal cats legal? And are Bengal cats legal in the UK and Australia? Bengal cats are legal in Massachusetts under certain conditions. In fact, states allow ownership of a hybrid of wild felids as long as it is a “domestic or pet cat registered with a nationally or internationally recognized breeding association or registry that certifies that the pedigree and registration of such a cat has been without wild felidic ancestry for at least three generations” (source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts). Pet Bengal cats are legal in British Columbia. Breeders registered by TICA in British Columbia include Bastet Exotics, Jemstones Bengals, Jewelspride Bengals and West Coast Bengals. Bengal cats are legal in Manitoba.
Bengali breeders registered by TICA in Manitoba include Cats with Love and Magnolia Bengals. Bengal cats are legal in New Brunswick. Bengali kennels registered by TICA in New Brunswick include Khaleesys Bengal & Singapura and Hemlock Hill Bengals. The Visayas leopard cat is a Sunda leopard cat (Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus) on the Philippine islands of Negros, Cebu and Panay. [2] It was listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2008 under its former scientific name P. bengalensis rabori, as its range is estimated to be less than 20,000 km2 (7,700 square miles) and the population has been considered decreasing. [1] Bengal cats are legal in the United States, Europe and Australia, provided they are separated from their wild ancestors for five generations. In the United States, all generations of Bengal cats are banned in Connecticut, Hawaii, New York and Seattle. So if you are in Australia and you are looking for a Bengal cat, rest assured that they are not illegal at Lucky Country. However, it`s probably easier to buy a Bengal cat in Australia from a registered breed than to try to import from abroad: internal Bengali cats are legal in Saskatchewan. Bridge City Bengals is a Bengali cattery registered by TICA in Saskatchewan.
Pet Bengal cats are legal in Ontario. TICA registered breeders in Ontario include Akeera Bengals, Boro Bengals, Bengal Ohana, BoroBengals, Elegant Bengals, Eye of the Tiger Cattery, Junglebeauty Bengals, Jungle Kitten, Kazuki Bengals and Mandy`s Bengals. Bengal domestic cats (i.e., at least 4 generations of the Asian leopard cat) are legal in most parts of Canada, but some jurisdictions may have their own specific boundaries. That`s why it`s important to check your local regulations before adopting a Bengal. For example, there are some restrictions in Alberta (see below). Pet Bengal cats are legal in California because the state does not restrict the ownership of domestic cats and hybrids of domestic cats (source: Michigan State University – Animal Legal and Historical Center). Bengali breeders registered by TICA in California include A Home for Maya Cattery, Arkham Bengals, Bishop Bengals, CasaCruz Ranch, Cool Spots Cattery, Descanso Ranch Cattery, Exotic Bengals of San Diego, Fractal Felines, Kitten Bengals In Purradise, Purfect Pride, San Diego Bengal, San Diego E-Uniques Bengal Babes, San Jose Bengal Cats, Urban Exotic Cats and Wild at Heart Bengals Cattery. Overall, their temperament is excellent, but male Bengals mature early and need to be disinserted before selling to make sure they don`t become aggressive and too heavy to handle. Bengalis usually live indoors with a secure outdoor enclosure to stretch their legs, exercise and get some fresh air. An enclosure is important because a Bengal will hunt wild animals. Are Bengal cats illegal in Australia these days? Bengalis are legal in Georgia, but a license is required to own one. As stated on the website of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Georgia, “hybrids or crosses between a combination of regulated pets, wild animals or wild animals and all subsequent generations in Georgia are regulated and cannot be kept without a license.” In 1996, the Victoria FCC effectively banned Bengalis (albeit temporarily) due to “negative advice” about their temperament.
It was found that the Bengals had already been made illegal in Washington, Connecticut and Oregon in the United States, because the cat was a dangerous and aggressive hybrid in itself. In fact, Bengalis had not been banned in these states. The wording of the Bengali breed`s standard that it should have an “unpretentious temperament” was seen as evidence that the breed was likely to be aggressive.