Georgia's stray dogs spark love, fear, and national discussion

At a busy Tbilisi bus stop, two dogs with identification tags napped on a bench, drawing smiles from some passersby and scowls from others. Such encounters are common across Georgia's capital, where community-cared yard dogs, marked with yellow municipal tags, lounge outside bakeries, subway entrances, and schools. These free-roaming animals evoke both warmth and concern.

The growing dog populationestimated in the tens of thousands in Tbilisi alonehas become a pressing national issue. A recent National Democratic Institute survey showed that 22 percent of respondents see stray animals as a top concern.

For many locals, the dogs are a beloved symbol of Tbilisi, reflecting Georgian hospitality and the lively street culture that attracts visitors. Street dogs in Georgia have positively shaped tourism and the citys image more than culture or people alone, said journalist Elena Nikoleisvili, 51, who works with the animals. These charming creatures could be the capitals symbol, much like Istanbuls cats.

On caf terraces, diners often slip scraps under tables to mongrels resting by their feet, while neighborhoods maintain their own canine mascots.

Safety Concerns

Not everyone shares this affection. Residents worry about bites and aggressive behavior. Plumber Oleg Berlovi, 43, recounted, Two weeks ago, a dog bit my child, and we needed vaccinations. Dogs are wonderful, but they require care. According to the World Health Organization, dogs are the leading transmitters of rabies to humans, and Georgia still reports a few deaths annually, along with tens of thousands of post-exposure treatments.

Efforts by Authorities

City officials advocate for humane population control. Nicoloz Aragveli, head of Tbilisis animal monitoring agency, said, Our policy focuses on managing stray dogs humanely and minimizing their numbers. Recent counts estimate roughly 29,000 strays in Tbilisi, with about 74 percent neutered. We aim to reach full coverage, Aragveli added. Regular school programs and door-to-door registration campaigns help raise awareness and track owned pets. Stricter laws now penalize abandonment and improper care to reduce stray numbers.

Yet some experts argue that progress remains slow. Nikoleisvili pointed out that authorities only acted after public pressure, and more could be done. With roughly 50,000 dogs neutered in the last decade, she called it a drop in the ocean.

Volunteer Efforts

Volunteers play a critical role. Theatre director Zacharia Dolidze builds kennels, making up to 20 per day and over 2,500 in seven years, funded through donations. Shelter operators also highlight shortcomings. You can pass laws, but without enforcement, they wont help, said Sara Anna Modzmanashvili Kemecsei, who runs a shelter for around 50 dogs. In many regions, neutering campaigns are absent, leaving volunteers to manage care independently.

Challenges from Politics

Political developments add uncertainty. A recent foreign influence law restricts NGOs access to foreign funding, impacting organizations like UK-based Mayhew, which provides vaccinations and neutering services in Tbilisi. Despite these hurdles, volunteers continue feeding, sheltering, and providing medical care. Geologist and lecturer Nino Adeishvili, 50, cares for about 10 dogs and organizes rabies shots and fundraising for treatments. On the street, a dog remains unprotected, she said. The responsible party is the human.

Author’s Analysis: Balancing Compassion and Public Safety

In my view, the situation in Tbilisi reflects a complex balance between public affection for street dogs and legitimate safety concerns. The widespread presence of tagged “yard dogs” has become part of the city’s identity, supported by residents who feed and care for animals in their neighborhoods. At the same time, survey data and personal accounts of dog bites demonstrate that the issue is not purely symbolic but also a matter of public health and urban management.

Municipal authorities emphasize humane population control through neutering and identification programs, with approximately 74 percent of stray dogs already sterilized. However, the estimated population of about 29,000 animals in the capital indicates that the current pace of intervention remains insufficient to quickly reduce numbers. Experts and volunteers argue that enforcement of ownership laws and expansion of sterilization campaigns outside major cities are still limited.

Volunteer initiatives continue to fill significant gaps in the system. Independent activists provide shelters, vaccinations, and daily care for many dogs that would otherwise remain unprotected. Yet these efforts depend heavily on donations and international cooperation, which may be affected by new regulations restricting foreign funding for NGOs.

Ultimately, the long-term solution appears to depend on consistent policy enforcement, broader sterilization coverage, and responsible pet ownership. Without these elements working together, the coexistence between residents and thousands of free-roaming dogs will remain both a cultural feature of Tbilisi and an ongoing challenge for authorities.

Sources:

• Georgia's street dogs stir affection, fear, national debate