• Increase in stray dogs in Georgia sparks mixed feelings among residents
• Authorities and volunteers struggle to manage their numbers

At a bus station in central Tbilisi, two tagged dogs were dozing on a bench, while some passersby smiled at them and others glared.

These scenes have become part of daily life in the streets of the Georgian capital, as community-fed “yard dogs,” marked with yellow tags on their ears, lounge outside bakeries, metro entrances, and school gates.

The dogs evoke conflicting emotions—both affection and concern—as dealing with their growing numbers—estimated in the tens of thousands in Tbilisi alone—has become a key national issue.

In a survey by the National Democratic Institute, the issue of stray animals topped public concerns, with 22% of respondents citing it as the most pressing matter.

Many see the dogs as a symbol of Tbilisi, representing Georgian hospitality and the vibrant street life that attracts tourists.

Journalist Elena Nikoleisvili, 51, who helps care for the stray dogs, said, “Street dogs in Georgia have had a more positive impact on tourism and the country’s image than people and culture alone. If anything, these wonderful creatures could become a symbol of the capital, like Istanbul’s cats.”

However, some worry about safety.

Plumber Oleg Berlovi, 43, said, “They bark and scare people. Two weeks ago, one bit my child, and we had to get vaccinations. Animals are wonderful, but they need proper care.”

The World Health Organization notes that dogs are the main source of rabies in humans globally.

Georgia still records a few human deaths from the disease annually and administers tens of thousands of post-exposure treatments, according to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.

City officials say the solution lies in humane and consistent population control.

Nicoloz Aragveli, head of Tbilisi’s animal monitoring agency, told AFP: “The state’s policy is to manage these animals in the most humane way possible and reduce the number of stray dogs on the streets to a minimum.”

The latest count estimated around 29,000 stray dogs in Tbilisi, with about 74% neutered. “We plan to increase this to 100%,” he added.

The city organizes weekly school lessons and door-to-door registration campaigns to raise awareness and track owned pets.

Legislative amendments have increased penalties for abandoning animals and violating care or ownership rules, aiming to prevent pets from ending up on the streets.

Nikoleisvili noted that authorities only responded after public backlash and “much more could be done.”

She added that the number of dogs neutered in Tbilisi over the past decade—about 50,000—is “a drop in the ocean.”

Volunteers, like theater director Zacharia Dolidze, play a major role in caring for the dogs, building shelters for them.

Animal shelters point to significant gaps in addressing what they describe as one of Georgia’s biggest problems.