BIO628.0718 (the Department). (the Department). ofthe Environmentby the Department andEnergy Act 1999Conservation by the Environment Protection andBiodiversity oflive animalsintoThe import Australia iscontrolled What are the laws? hybri biodiversity/wildlif hybrid policy see: www.environment.gov.au/ For more information regarding theDepartment’s into Australia. Thisincludes hybrid pet breeds. the environment most hybrid breeds arenot permitted Bengal cats and Savannah cats.However, to protect internationally,are popular inthe pet industry including wild species. There are some hybrid catspecies that species (orsub-species), or interbreeding between two interbreeding between adomestic breed andawild species or subspecies of animals.Thisincludes A hybrid isthe result of interbreeding between two Hybrid species problem willcontinue to get worse. hybrid catgenes enter theferal catpopulation, the extinction anddecline of native species. Ifwildcator millions offeral catsinAustralia thatcontribute to the tosurrounding Australia. their importation There are a biosecurity riskthere are rules andrestrictions are popular pet breeds. However, asthese catspose Some crosses between cats and domestic wildcats problem cat The species cat hybrid or wild Importing d-a nimals-guidance e-trade/live/impor (EPBCAct), administered
t-list/ wildlif (see: into Australia are listed list on the live import Live animalsconsidered to besuitable for live import • • bengalensis from crossing anAsianleopard cat( The Bengal catisahybrid animalthathasresulted cats Bengal the environment. any circumstances, due to the riskthey poseto Savannah catscannot to be imported Australia under ( cat andanAfricanServal The Savannah catisacross between adomestic cats Savannah • into Australia. this documentation, theanimal willnot be allowed Without generations. the animal, going backatleast 4 Proof isneeded inthe form of official pedigree papers for with adomestic cat—down to atleast five generations. ofthatpairingare bred domestic cat,andthe offspring an AsianLeopard catand adomestic catare bred witha ofacross between result when theoffspring hybrids F5 Asian Leopard cat.Thisisknown asanF5hybrid. animal isfive generations or more removed from the Bengal catsmay into beimported Australia ifthe
a permit 2of the listcontainsspecies thatrequire Part brought into Australia without apermit 1of the listcontainsspecies andcanbe Part are banned. Species not listed list on the live import www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/ e-trade/live/impor ) andadomestic cat ( t-list) Leptailurus serval Felis catus Prionailurus ). ). ). ).
Process for importing a Bengal cat into Australia: Don’t release your bengal cat! • Check the Department of Agriculture and Water Do not release your bengal cat into the wild— Resources website for all permit requirements this can cause serious harm to the Australian for cat imports. environment and wildlife and could result in • If you believe you will be able to meet these penalties. If you have a hybrid cat breed you requirements contact Department of the can no longer care for, please contact the Environment and Energy with identification Department or your state government for (Owner’s name, animal’s name and microchip advice. You can remain anonymous. number) and pedigree of the Bengal cat (to prove cat is an F5 hybrid or greater). • The Department of the Environment and Energy For more information please contact: will consider information provided and advise Environmental Biosecurity Section you and Department of Agriculture and Water Department of the Environment and Energy Resources whether the animal is considered to GPO Box 787 be a domestic cat. Canberra ACT 2601 • If the animal is considered to be a domestic cat, Telephone: (02) 6274 1900 apply for an import permit from Department of Email: [email protected] Agriculture and Water Resources.
Domestic pets © Commonwealth of Australia, 2018. The Department of Agriculture and Water This fact sheet is licensed by Commonwealth of Resources (DAWR) is the department that issues Australia under a Creative Commons Attribution permits for the import of non-hybrid domestic 4.0 International licence. The views and opinions expressed in this publication pets. If you wish to import a domestic cat or are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect dog (non-hybrid breeds), please seek further those of the Australian Government or the Minister for information from DAWR and the Department of the Environment and Energy. the Environment and Energy.