Stray dogs

The problem of stray dogs on the streets of cities and villages has been the most relevant issue in Georgia for a long time. According to experts, only in the capital there are more than 45,000 stray dogs.

The condition of street dogs in Georgia is often poor - they do not have a constant source of food, quality care, protection from weather conditions and diseases. Most of them live on the streets, in undeveloped areas, homeless. Those that roam the center are often well-fed and well-socialized, which cannot be said about dogs on the outskirts or in small settlements, where they have to provide for their livelihoods in not the best conditions.

Since 2013, the National Food Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia has launched a large-scale free preventive animal vaccination campaign. More than 250,000 animals are vaccinated annually under this program. Vaccinated stray dogs can be distinguished by a colored tag on their ear. There are also volunteer organizations for the protection of animals in Georgia, but their activities are severely limited by weak funding.

Georgia is classified as a high-risk country for rabies, so additional conditions and procedures may be required to export animals from Georgia to the European Union (EU) or other countries.

Bites from stray dogs are not uncommon, especially in remote areas. Other problems include the lack of popularity of vaccinating pets among the local population and the absence of any regulatory laws regarding animal treatment.

In case of an animal bite, vaccination is necessary, even if the dog that bit you had a tag - it does not guarantee that the animal was not infected over the years after vaccination (the vaccine does not provide 100% protection and must be given again every year).

For rabies vaccination, 5 shots are given in the arm on a specific schedule. Alcohol cannot be consumed for two months after the shots.

In Tbilisi, vaccination is done at the Center for Immunization and Prevention (10a Tashkenti st). Vaccination is carried out around the clock. The initial consultation costs 30 lari.

In Batumi, vaccination is done at the Batumi Republican Clinical Hospital (2 Javakhishvili St).