Whereas exotic animals and their hybrids are not domesticated and suffer physically and psychologically when bred, kept, displayed and sold in captivity, and may pose public health and safety risks to other animals and people; And whereas the removal of exotic animals from their natural habitat damages fragile ecosystems and threatens the survival of wild populations, and their release from captivity can harm British Columbias ecosystems and native wildlife: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to immediately amend the Controlled Alien Species Regulation to prohibit all Felids, including Servals, other than the domestic cat Felis catus, and all Canids other than the domestic dog Canis familiaris, including all hybrids of F1-3 generation; And be it further resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to further amend the Controlled Alien Species Regulation to create a positive list of permitted species to replace the existing negative list of prohibited species, including only domesticated species and certain hybrids of an F4 generation or greater.
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship In 2021, the Fish and Wildlife Branch completed an initial review of the Controlled Alien Species CAS Program which included preliminary research and engagement with stakeholders to explore a potential amendment to the CAS Regulation to adopt a positive list of species. Including Servals and other Felids other than domestic on the CAS Regulation has also been a part of these discussions. Through this engagement we have identified that there are number of CAS Program changes policy, regulatory and administrative that require a more in depth review before any final decisions can be made. Moving forward as part of the CAS Program review, we will continue to focus our engagement and analysis towards the possibility of including these species for consideration. Please note, as of October 19, 2023, fish and wildlife management, including responsibility for Controlled Alien Species moved to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.