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There’s nothing like coming home after a long week away for work to your loved ones, especially when that loved one is a beautiful, 20-year-old rare Serval cat.

Though you would think an older, wild African cat like this, who’s the size of a small wolf, may not be happy their mom was away for a week, this one shows affection most sweetly, and viewers can’t get enough of their heartwarming reunion.

Chloe Jade, the senior Serval cat, could not be sweeter!

Related: This Ultra-Rare Kitten’s ‘Spotted Hyena’ Coat Comes With a $20k Price Tag

Can You Keep a Wild Serval Cat as a Pet?

First of all, can you even have a Serval cat as a pet, considering they are wild, medium-sized African cats?

A Serval cat, also known as Leptailurus serval, is legal to have, but only in 10 states in the U.S., and you also have to have the right permits, according to Petful.

It’s incredible to think you can have these types of cats as pets, considering that when they are fully grown, they reach 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder and can weigh as much as 40 pounds.

You also should be ready to pay up, as Serval cats can cost as much as $20,000 to buy, and then you’re looking at up to $10,000 per year for food, exotic vets, permits, and just making sure they have the proper enclosure.

Considering that Chloe is 20 years old, that is quite a bit of money!

How Long Do Serval Cats Live?

For Serval cats who live in the wild, they usually only live 10 to 12 years, according to exoticcattery.

Serval kitties who are kept in captivity, tend to live longer, even reaching up to 20 years, like this beauty in the video.

They tend not to live as long in the wild because of predators, diseases, and their environments.

If they’re domesticated, to ensure they live a long life, they need to live in a spacious environment, and though we only saw a little bit in that video, that house did look very open.

They also have several strict diet requirements that mimic that of wild cats who hunt small prey.

The fact that Chloe, the Serval cat, is 20 years old and seems quite healthy and happy means this family has done a good job taking care of this unique and wild cat.

Check out this video of her being a sweet, cuddly girl with her mom.


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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jul 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.