LAW OF GEORGIA ON PET ANIMALS

1. The purpose of this Law is to provide legal grounds for such activities and/or actions in the field of pet animal management as will contribute to the creation of a safe living environment for humans and pet animals.

2. The objectives of this Law are:

a) to protect pet animals and humans from the threats arising from other pet animals;

b) to protect pet animals from abuse and ill-treatment;

c) to introduce humane principles and methods of maintenance and population management of pet animals.

 

Article 2 – Scope of the Law

1. The scope of this Law shall include:

a) to ensure the welfare of pet animals;

b) to ensure the traceability of pet animals;

c) to determine the competences of authorised bodies operating in the field of pet animal management;

d) to determine the obligations of animal owners and caretakers;

e) to establish the legal grounds for the operation of the entities carrying out activities in the field of pet animal management;

f) to manage the population of pet animals.

2. This Law shall not apply to farm animals or wild animals.

 

Article 3 – Definition of Terms

For the purposes of this Law, the terms used herein shall have the following meaning:

a) pet animal (an animal) – a companion, cared-for, stray, unattended dog or cat, which is used to satisfy social needs and/or is used for functional purposes;

b) owner of the animal (an owner) – a natural person or legal entity that owns an animal and ensures its identification and registration, sterilisation/castration, and maintenance, including veterinary services, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;

c) companion animal – an animal that has a registered owner as defined by this Law;

d) stray animal – an animal that does not have an owner or a caretaker as defined by this Law;

e) cared-for animal – an animal living freely in a certain area supervised by an animal caretaker;

f) unattended animal – an animal whose owner or caretaker cannot be identified within a specific period of time;

g) animal caretaker (a caretaker) – a natural or legal person supervising an animal freely living in a certain area, who, based on the registration of the animal with an authorised body, provides feed and water to the animal, and who is entitled to provide veterinary services to it;

h) animal welfare – ensuring the conditions necessary for the maintenance of an animal, which include the access of the animal to feed and water, prevention of disease, and its protection from pain and suffering;

i) maintenance of animals – provision of a habitat necessary for an animal in compliance with the relevant sanitary and hygienic conditions, its feeding and watering, regular walks, socialisation, the provision of veterinary services, the prevention, diagnostics and treatment of diseases, timely vaccination against rabies and other diseases, as well as the provision of other conditions necessary for the welfare of the animal as established by the legislation of Georgia;

j) cynological institution – an entity registered in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia to provide consulting/educational services, including in the area of dog breeding, training, socialisation, behaviour modification and maintenance, as well as to provide services provided for by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia in the area of animal (dog) management;

k) feline veterinary medical institution – an entity registered in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia to provide consulting/educational services, including in the area of cat breeding, socialisation, behaviour modification and maintenance, as well as to provide services provided for by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia in the area of animal (cat) management;

l) veterinary institution – an entity registered under the legislation of Georgia which provides veterinary services;

m) euthanasia of an animal – the immediate and painless termination of the life of an animal with a humane method by an authorised person (a veterinarian or a veterinary technician), only in cases established by the legislation of Georgia, using substances subject to special control or therapeutic agents equivalent to pharmaceutical products subject to special control;

n) animal identification – the marking of an animal by a registration authority with a microchip, ear tag (ring) and, in the case of a cat, also by another method allowed by the veterinary rules;

o) animal registration – entering information about an identified animal into a unified database by the registration authority, as well as making changes to the registration data;

p) authorised body of a municipality – a structural unit of the city hall of a municipality determined by the representative body of the municipality or a legal entity authorised by the representative body of the municipality;

q) the Agency – the Legal Entity under Public Law called the National Food Agency under the state control of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia;

r) registration authority – an authorised body of a municipality, a veterinary institution, an animal shelter and an animal breeding facility;

s) leash – a means enabling the monitoring of the movement of an animal;

t) muzzle – a device attached to a dog’s snout or head, intended to ensure the safety of other animals and humans;

u) excessive aggression of an animal – the behavioural disorder of an animal which threatens the life and health of another animal and/or human being, and which renders the further socialisation of the animal impossible;

v) walking of an animal – the movement of an animal in an open space or in specially designated locations under appropriate supervision;

w) animal breeding – the purposeful and planned reproduction of animals;

x) animal population management – the identification, registration and termination of the reproductive ability of animals by sterilisation/castration;

y) animal shelter (the shelter) – a municipal shelter or a private shelter registered under the legislation of Georgia;

z) temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) – an entity registered in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, which provides services to the owner by ensuring the temporary accommodation and maintenance of animals entrusted thereto;

z₁) deworming – the removal of parasites from the animal’s body;

z₂) vaccination – the introduction of an antigen(s) against diseases into the animal’s body for the purpose of developing immunity (the body’s defences) against diseases;

z₃) castration – the termination of a male animal’s ability to reproduce;

z₄) sterilisation – the termination of a female animal’s ability to reproduce;

z₅) animal fight – the fight of an animal with an animal of its own or another species for competition or other purposes;

z₆) pet passport – an information sheet of an animal where a veterinary or veterinary technician may enter records on annual vaccinations, sterilisation/castration, individual characteristics of the body (including allergic reactions, health status, weight) and the use of antiparasitic drugs, as well as information on the owner (identification data and contact details);

z₇) microchip – a readable passive radio-frequency identification device, an implant carrying special information which feeds information on the animal and its owner into the unified database;

z₇¹) ear tag (ring) – an identification device containing an identification number, allowing feeding information about the animal into the unified database;

z₇²) animal breeding facility (the breeding facility) − an entity registered in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, which carries out the targeted and purposeful breeding of animals in accordance with the procedure established by this Law;

z₇³) animal dealer (the dealer) − a person, registered in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, who sells animals;

z₇⁴) potentially dangerous dog – a dog that, due to its physical characteristics (including size and weight) and/or improper training and behaviour, may pose an increased threat to the life and health of other animals and/or humans;

z₇⁵) moratorium on the temporary introduction and import and/or breeding of animals – the authority of the Government of Georgia to prohibit the temporary introduction and import and/or breeding of a potentially dangerous dog, as well as other animals, in order to manage the overpopulation of such animals;

z₇⁶) animal hoarding – the collection of animals by a natural person and, at the same time, the inability to comply with the rules for their maintenance (access to food, adherence to sanitary and hygienic conditions, provision of veterinary services, regular walks), despite a significant deterioration of the conditions of animals (weight loss, illness, etc.) and/or the living environment thereof;

z₇⁷) cynologist – a natural person who has the appropriate skills and knowledge in the area of dog breeding, training, socialisation and behaviour modification;

z₇⁸) felinologist – a natural person who provides advisory services in the area of cat maintenance, breeding, socialisation and behaviour modification;

z₇⁹) pedigree animal – an animal whose health, breeding ability and suitability for breeding have been confirmed in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and which is intended for targeted and purposeful breeding;

z₇¹⁰) service dog – a specially trained dog owned by a public institution and used for carrying out protection, search and rescue activities, the elimination of sabotage, and also a dog whose purpose is to prevent a mass violation of public order, to pursue, detain and identify a person who has committed a crime or socially dangerous action, to escort a detainee or a prisoner, to repel an attack on a person and/or a police officer/military police officer, and to detect prohibited items;

z₇¹¹) assistance dog – a dog whose owner is a blind or visually impaired person with disabilities registered in the unified database.

 

Article 4 – Principles of animal welfare

1. The principles of animal welfare include:

a) free access to water and feed;

b) the provision of a safe living environment and adequate living conditions;

c) the prevention and treatment of diseases.

2. Respect for the principles of animal welfare shall be obligatory both when carrying out the procedures established by this Law and when implementing charitable, educational and other activities in the area of animal management.

3. The following shall be prohibited throughout the territory of Georgia:

a) abandoning an animal, except for the cases provided for by this Law;

b) euthanizing an animal, except for the cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia;

c) transferring an animal as an award, prize or bonus;

d) using an animal as food and/or manufacturing drugs and chemicals from it;

e) the failure of a vehicle driver to notify the relevant authority in the event of the damage/death of an animal in a traffic accident;

f) hoarding animals;

g) the training of a dog, other than a service dog, for combat purposes.

 

Article 5 – Prohibition of abandoning animals

1. It shall be prohibited to abandon an animal, except where there are objective preconditions for the inability of proper maintenance of the animal and/or for the cohabitation of the owner and the animal as provided for by this Law.

2. In the cases provided for by paragraph 1 of this article, the owner shall be obliged to find a new owner for the animal within a reasonable time, and where it is impossible to find a new owner, transfer it to a shelter to take measures as determined by Article 18 of this Law.

3. Where an owner finds a new owner for an animal, it shall be mandatory to register the new owner in the unified database.

 

Article 6 – Authorised bodies in the area of animal management

1. Authorised bodies in the area of animal management shall be an authorised body of a municipality and the Agency.

2. An authorised body of a municipality shall, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia:

a) supervise the fulfilment of obligations by an owner;

b) supervise the fulfilment of obligations by a caretaker;

c) register a breeding facility;

d) manage the population of stray/cared-for animals and carry out anti-rabies vaccination;

e) notify information on capturing a cared-for animal to a caretaker;

f) dispose of the carcass of a stray/cared-for animal;

g) perform scheduled and unscheduled monitoring of compliance by subjects carrying out activities in the area of animal management with the procedures established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

3. An authorised body of a municipality shall set up a municipal shelter independently or together with other municipalities to provide temporary accommodation, maintenance, population management and anti-rabies vaccination of stray/cared-for animals or carry out the above activities through a person authorised by it.

4. An authorised body of a municipality shall be obliged to manage the population of stray/cared-for animals in accordance with the procedure established by Article 18 of this Law.

5. The Agency, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia, shall:

a) manage a unified database in order to ensure the traceability of an animal;

b) exercise state control over the compliance by the entities carrying out activities in the area of animal management with the procedures established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia;

c) perform other functions as determined by the legislation of Georgia.

6. The Agency shall, by a decision of the Government of Georgia, have the right to provide for the identification and registration, sterilisation/castration, and anti-rabies vaccination of animals for the implementation of temporary measures for managing animal overpopulation.

7. During the movement of animals across the customs border of Georgia, veterinary border-quarantine control shall be exercised by the Agency and the Legal Entity under Public Law called the Revenue Service operating within the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, within the scope of its competence.

 

Article 7 – Owner

1. Within the scope of obligations relating to animal welfare, maintenance and population management, taking into consideration the characteristics of the species and the breed of an animal, an owner shall be obliged to ensure:

a) the identification and registration of an animal in accordance with the procedure established by Article 16 of this Law;

b) taking an animal for walks, its travelling and partaking in events in compliance with the safety rules established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia;

c) carrying out veterinary examination, full vaccination, deworming, and taking other medical and preventive measures;

d) carrying out anti-rabies vaccination in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;

e) the termination of reproduction abilities of an animal by sterilisation/castration in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia;

f) the termination of reproduction abilities of an animal by other harmless methods permitted by veterinary rules when it is impossible to exercise the method of sterilisation/castration based on medical grounds;

g) the immediate transfer of an animal to a veterinary institution in case of its illness;

h) the notification of an authorised body of a municipality of the loss/death of an animal;

i) informing an authorised body of a municipality/the Agency of the fact of biting/scratching/slobbering another animal and/or a person by an animal, if there is a suspicion of disease/infection with rabies or any other dangerous disease transmitted from animal to human;

j) in the case of the biting/scratching/slobbering another animal and/or a person by an animal, performing veterinary supervision thereof in isolation, at the actual address of residence of an owner or in a shelter, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;

k) the immediate cleaning of a public space in the case of its contamination by an animal;

l) compensation for any damage caused by an animal to another person in accordance with the Civil Code of Georgia and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia;

m) the disposal of the carcass of an animal in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. The owner is entitled to apply to a veterinary institution to request the inclusion of information regarding the procedures provided for by paragraph 1(a) and (c–f) of this article in a pet passport.

3. A natural person may be registered as an owner in the unified database only if he/she has attained the age of 16 and does not have a criminal record as provided for by Article 259 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

4. To register as the owner of a potentially dangerous dog, in addition to meeting the requirements provided for by paragraph 3 of this article, it shall be mandatory to submit a certificate of mental health.

5. In the case of the death of an owner, his/her heir shall be obliged to register as the owner in the unified database. If the heir refuses to accept the inherited property in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, he/she shall be obliged to ensure that a new owner for the animal be found, and in if he/she is unable to do so, the transfer of the animal to a shelter.

 

Article 8 – Taking care of an animal

1. A natural person and a legal entity shall have the right to ensure the taking care of a stray animal.

2. The basis for taking care of an animal shall be the registration of the caretaker in the unified database. Care-taking shall be terminated based on the application of the caretaker or in the event he/she breaches the obligation established by this Law.

3. Taking care of an animal shall be permitted only after its sterilisation/castration.

4. It shall be prohibited to take care of an animal in the buildings of early and pre-school education institutions, general education institutions, medical institutions and subway stations, as well as on playgrounds and sporting facilities.

5. A caretaker is entitled to provide a cared-for animal with the following:

a) veterinary services;

b) prevention and diagnostics of diseases;

c) vaccination against diseases.

6. Taking into account the principles of animal welfare, a caretaker shall be obliged to:

a) apply to the registration authority to register as a caretaker in the unified database;

b) provide feed and water to a cared-for animal;

c) provide anti-rabies vaccination for a cared-for animal, and if he/she is unable to provide anti-rabies vaccination, apply to an authorised body of a municipality;

d) provide relevant information to an authorised body of a municipality, if a disease dangerous for other animals and/or human beings or suspicious signs of such disease is/are detected in a cared-for animal;

e) promote the unhindered exercise of powers established by this Law by an authorised body of a municipality and the Agency with respect to a cared-for animal, including providing information at his/her disposal regarding the condition of the animal;

f) in the case of a voluntary refusal to care for an animal, notify the authorised body of the municipality thereof and continue supervising the animal until the termination of his/her registration as the caretaker;

g) in the case of a voluntary refusal to care for an animal, apply to the registration authority with a request to terminate his/her registration as the caretaker;

h) in the event of the death of a cared-for animal, notify the registration authority thereof for the purpose of the termination of his/her registration as the caretaker in the unified database.

7. In the case provided for by paragraph 6(a) of this article, a cared-for animal shall be identified/registered by an authorised body of a municipality through the municipal shelter operating within its system or a person authorised by it.

 

Article 9 – Entities engaged in the field of animal management

1. The following entities engaged in the field of animal management shall be subject to state control in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia:

a) a veterinary institution – an entity which provides veterinary services to animals, including the identification and registration of animals, their sterilisation/castration, the prevention and treatment of diseases for health and welfare, the protection from zoonotic diseases (including anti-rabies vaccination), and ensures veterinary safety in the country;

b) a shelter – an entity which provides temporary maintenance for animals, their identification and registration, sterilisation/castration, and vaccination, and/or finds an owner/caretaker for a stray animal;

c) a temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) − an entity which provides temporary accommodation and maintenance of animals entrusted by the owner;

d) a breeding facility − an entity which performs targeted and purposeful breeding, as well as the identification and registration of animals, keeping a breeding book (a document containing information about the ancestors of an animal), and maintaining documentation recording pedigree animals and the litter thereof;

e) a cynological/feline institution – an entity which provides advisory/educational services, including in the area of animal breeding, training, socialisation, behaviour modification and maintenance;

f) a dealer – a person who maintains animals, sells them, and also ensures their timely vaccination against rabies and other dangerous diseases, and provides other veterinary services;

g) an animal care and hygiene (grooming) facility – an entity registered in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia which provides services related to the maintenance/improvement of the hygienic and external conditions of animals.

2. An animal maintenance and hygiene (grooming) facility:

a) shall be obliged to verify information on the identification and registration of an animal upon bringing it in;

b) shall not be authorised to provide services to animals that are not registered in the unified database.

3. The entities determined in paragraph 1 of this article shall, in order to ensure the protection of animal welfare, comply with the general animal maintenance requirements:

a) compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards;

b) compliance with safety rules;

c) providing animals with water and, if necessary, feed;

d) appropriate insolation/lighting, thermal insulation and ventilation of the accommodation area for animals;

e) the submission of information as requested by an authorised body of a municipality and/or the Agency;

f) compliance with other requirements established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

 

Article 10 – Veterinary services for animals

1. To ensure veterinary well-being in the country and the protection of the population from zoonotic diseases, except for other persons determined by this Law, a veterinary institution shall prevent and treat diseases in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. A veterinarian or a veterinary technician shall provide veterinary services to animals within the scope of their competence, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

3. Veterinary services shall be provided by applying remedies pain-free for animals, in accordance with the procedures established by the legislation of Georgia.

4. It shall be prohibited to perform veterinary operations on animals for non-therapeutic purposes or without a functional purpose, in particular:

a) ear cropping;

b) tail cropping;

c) the extraction of a canine tooth;

d) the surgical removal of claws;

e) reduction in hearing;

f) ligation of vocal cords.

5. A veterinary institution shall be obliged to verify information on the identification and registration of an animal in the unified database upon bringing it in.

6. If the information about an animal is not included in the unified database, a veterinary institution shall be obliged to ensure the identification and registration of the companion animal itself. In that case, the owner shall reimburse the costs of the identification and registration of the animal.

7. Where a cared-for/stray animal is brought in, a veterinary institution shall be authorised to ensure the identification and registration, sterilisation/castration and the anti-rabies vaccination of the animal. If it is unable to perform these procedures, the veterinary institution shall be obliged to notify an authorised body of a municipality thereof to ensure the performance of the procedures provided for by Article 18 of this Law.

8. A veterinary institution shall have the right to provide services to a non-registered animal that requires emergency veterinary services. After providing this service, it shall be obliged to perform the procedures provided for by paragraph 6 or 7 of this article.

9. A veterinary institution shall be obliged to enter information about the sterilisation/castration, full vaccination and anti-rabies vaccination of an animal into the unified database, and at the request of the owner, into a pet passport as well.

10. A veterinary institution shall be obliged to enter information about the euthanasia of an animal performed in accordance with the procedure established by Article 21 of this Law into the unified database.

11. A veterinary institution shall be obliged to immediately notify, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, the Agency and an authorised body of a municipality of the detection of rabies or other zoonotic diseases provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

12. A veterinary institution shall have the right to provide veterinary services to a cared-for/stray animal based on a relevant agreement concluded with the Agency or an authorised body of a municipality.

13. A veterinary institution shall have the right to issue a health certificate for an animal.

14. A veterinary institution shall be obliged to carry out active communication and coordination with relevant state agencies, including the timely exchange of information, to prevent the spread of rabies or other zoonotic diseases.

 

Article 11 – Shelter and its scope of activities

1. Based on Article 6(3) of this Law, a municipality shall have the right to set up, independently or together with other municipalities, a municipal shelter to provide for the identification and registration of animals, their sterilisation/castration and vaccination, and the finding of an owner/caretaker for them.

2. Any natural person or legal entity may set up a private shelter for the purpose of protecting the welfare of animals, their maintenance, and the management of their population.

3. A shelter shall be obliged to arrange the following in accordance with the standards established by the legislation of Georgia:

a) animal enclosures and veterinary spaces to perform relevant procedures;

b) animal enclosures where an animal can be accommodated until determining its health status, its recovery, removal from the shelter or euthanasia. Such animal enclosures shall meet the following requirements:

b.a) allow an animal to move and take feed;

b.b) not restrict an animal to see free space, not be closed on all four sides, and in addition be properly ventilated;

c) a quarantine area to ensure the isolation of an animal;

d) a walking area to provide for the proper physical activity of an animal.

4. The activities of the shelter provided for by paragraph 1 of this article, including the activities and procedures determined for the purpose of managing the animal population, shall be regulated by Article 18 of this Law.

5. A private shelter shall be obliged to verify information about the identification and registration of an animal in the unified database upon bringing it in.

6. After performing the procedure provided for by paragraph 5 of this article, a veterinarian shall be obliged to immediately examine the animal. Based on this examination, the animal, by a decision of the veterinarian, may be placed in quarantine/isolation.

7. If information about an animal is not included in the unified database, the private shelter shall have the right to ensure the identification and registration of the animal, its sterilisation/castration and anti-rabies vaccination. If it is unable to perform these procedures, the private shelter shall be obliged to notify an authorised body of a municipality thereof to ensure the performance of the procedures provided for by Article 18 of this Law.

8. In the case of the biting/scratching/slobbering of another animal and/or a person by an animal, the animal must be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

9. If a private shelter provides services to an animal that requires emergency veterinary services, the private shelter shall be obliged to identify/register the animal only after providing emergency veterinary services in accordance with the procedure established by Article 16 of this Law.

10. A private shelter shall have the right to search for an owner/caretaker for an identified and registered, sterilised/castrated and vaccinated (anti-rabies vaccination) animal and update information about it in the unified database.

11. A private shelter, on the basis of a relevant agreement, shall have the right to provide services to an authorised body of a municipality within its competence, including with regard to the management of the population and temporary accommodation of animals.

12. It shall be prohibited to arrange a breeding facility in a private shelter.

13. A private shelter shall be obliged to carry out active communication and coordination with relevant state agencies, including for the prevention of the spread of rabies or other zoonotic diseases.

 

Article 12 – Temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel)

1. To protect the welfare of animals, a temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) shall provide temporary accommodation and maintenance of animals in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. A temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) shall ensure the following:

a) compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards;

b) the provision of feed and water to animals;

c) the proper insolation/lighting, thermal insulation and ventilation of the accommodation area for animals;

d) compliance with other requirements established by the legislation of Georgia.

3. A temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) shall verify information about the identity/registration of an animal in the unified database upon bringing it in. A temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) shall not be entitled to provide services to an animal not registered in the unified database.

4. If an unattended dog is brought into a temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel), whose owner/caretaker does not show up within 2 months, it shall be obliged to find an owner/caretaker for the animal, and if it is unable to find an owner/caretaker, it shall apply to an authorised body of a municipality to ensure the implementation of the actions provided for by Article 18 of this Law.

5. Setting up a temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) in an apartment of an apartment block shall be allowed with the consent of the majority of the apartment owners.

6. Not more than 15 animals may be accommodated simultaneously in a temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel) located in an apartment of an apartment block.

 

Article 13 – Breeding facility and its scope of activities

1. A breeding facility shall carry out the targeted and purposeful breeding of animals to ensure the welfare and maintenance of animals.

2. A breeding facility shall be obliged to register with an authorised body of a municipality in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

3. The validity period for registration as provided for by paragraph 2 of this article shall be 3 years. The fee for the above registration shall be established by an authorised body of a municipality.

4. The document confirming the registration of a breeding facility shall be placed in a location visible to the user.

5. To ensure the targeted and purposeful breeding of pedigree animals, the breeding facility shall be obliged to:

a) have a cynologist/felinologist;

b) comply with the requirements for animal breeding established by Article 17 of this Law;

c) comply with sanitary and hygienic standards;

d) provide the animals with feed and water;

e) arrange open and closed spaces for animal accommodation, provide their proper insolation/lighting, thermal insulation and ventilation;

f) arrange appropriate space in the case of receiving a litter;

g) keep documentary records of pedigree animals and received litters;

h) keep a breeding book (a document containing information on the ancestors of an animal);

i) ensure the submission of information requested by an authorised body of a municipality and/or the Agency;

j) ensure the fulfilment of other requirements established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

6. A breeding facility shall be obliged to ensure the identification and registration of a received litter in accordance with the procedure established by Article 16 of this Law.

7. A breeding facility shall be authorised to carry out the activities determined by Article 15 of this Law.

8. A breeding facility shall be obliged to carry out active communication and coordination with the relevant state agencies, including for the targeted and purposeful breeding of pedigree animals.

 

Article 14 – Cynological/feline institution and its scope of activities

1. For the protection of the welfare and maintenance of animals, a cynological/feline institution shall provide advisory services in the area of animal management, animal training, socialisation, behaviour modification, the keeping of a breeding book (a document containing information about the ancestors of the animal), the issuance of certificates of breeding qualities and the suitability for breeding, the organisation and conduct of animal exhibitions and other services, in accordance with the procedures established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. A cynological/feline institution shall be obliged to have a cynologist/felinologist.

3. A cynological/feline institution shall be obliged to verify the information on the identification and registration of an animal in the unified database upon bringing it in.

4. A cynological/feline institution shall not be entitled to provide services to an animal not registered in the unified database.

5. To protect the welfare of animals, the cynological/feline institution shall ensure:

a) the keeping of a breeding book (a document containing information on the ancestors of an animal);

b) the issuance of a certificate of breeding qualities and the suitability for breeding;

c) that animals of different breeds have sufficient exertion considering their physical characteristics and health status, in accordance with international standards;

d) the provision of advisory services relating to the maintenance, breeding, nutrition, selection and physiological characteristics of animals, as well as the study of their behaviour;

e) the training of animals in an appropriate training area (individual and sports training), their socialisation and behaviour modification;

f) the assessment of the condition of an animal and the identification of excessive aggression;

g) the organising and conducting of animal exhibitions;

h) the organising and conducting of training courses and modules.

6. A document that does not specify information about the ancestors of an animal shall not be considered a certificate as provided for by paragraph 5(b) of this article.

7. In the case of registration with an authorised body of a municipality, a cynological/feline institution shall have the right to arrange a breeding facility on its territory in accordance with the procedure established by Article 13 of this Law.

8. To ensure animal welfare, a cynological/feline institution shall be obliged to carry out active communication and coordination with the relevant public agencies, including through timely exchange of information.

9. This article shall not apply to the provision of the services of a service dog.

 

Article 15 – A dealer and the scope of his/her activities

1. A dealer shall sell an animal in such a way as to ensure the welfare and maintenance of the animal in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. A dealer shall be obliged to provide the identification and registration of an animal by applying to the registration authority in accordance with the procedure established by Article 16 of this Law.

3. A dealer shall be obliged to verify information on the identification and registration of an animal upon bringing it in.

4. A dealer may not possess an animal that is not registered in the unified database.

5. To ensure the welfare and maintenance of an animal, a dealer shall be obliged to:

a) provide feed and water to the animal;

b) ensure the separation of the space for accommodation of the animal, its proper insolation/lighting, thermal insulation and ventilation;

c) ensure regular walks for the animal;

d) provide the animal with veterinary services, including timely vaccination against rabies and other dangerous diseases;

e) ensure compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards in the territory of the sales facility;

f) not allow an unvaccinated animal (anti-rabies vaccination) and/or an animal with dangerous diseases (including zoonotic) in the territory of the sales facility;

g) not allow puppies under 2 months and kittens under 4 months to be separated from their mother for the purpose of sale;

h) ensure the registration of the introduction and sale of animals to the sales facility.

6. A dealer shall be obliged to carry out active communication and coordination with the relevant state agencies, including the timely exchange of information, to ensure the welfare of the animals.

 

Article 16 – Identification and registration of animals

1. To protect the welfare of animals and ensure their traceability, the registration authority shall conduct the identification and registration of animals in a unified database managed by the Agency.

2. The purpose of the unified database shall be to:

a) determine the number of animals, record information on each of them, identify their owners and caretakers and the registration thereof;

b) prevent the abandonment of the animals by the owners;

c) identify the owner or caretaker of an unattended animal.

3. The following information on an identified animal shall be entered into the unified database:

a) species, breed, sex, date of birth, name, description of appearance, colour, number of microchip or ear tag (ring);

b) sterilisation/castration record;

c) vaccination record;

d) full name, personal number, phone number and address of residence of the owner/caretaker, and where the owner/caretaker is a legal entity, their name, identification code, and contact details;

e) designation as a breeding animal, exhibition animal or service dog;

f) other necessary details established by the legislation of Georgia regarding identification and registration.

4. An authorised body of a municipality, a veterinary institution, a shelter and a breeding facility shall carry out the identification and registration of animals on the basis of access to the unified database received from the Agency in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

5. A temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel), a cynological institution, a feline institution, a dealer and an animal care and hygiene (grooming) facility shall verify the information on the identification and registration of animals on the basis of access to the unified database received from the Agency in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

6. An authorised body of a municipality shall be obliged to carry out the identification and registration of the stray/cared-for animals.

7. In the case of a change of owner/caretaker, it shall be mandatory to make a change in the unified database to register a new owner/caretaker.

8. In the case of loss/damage of a microchip or ear tag (ring), the owner/caretaker shall be obliged to apply to the registration authority for the repeated identification of the animal.

 

Article 17 – Breeding and population management of a companion animal

1. To manage the animal population, an animal, in accordance with the rules and terms for sterilisation/castration established by the legislation of Georgia, shall be subject to mandatory sterilisation/castration, except in the cases provided for by this Law.

2. Breeding a pedigree animal shall be permitted by a breeding facility, or an owner for non-commercial purposes, in accordance with the breeding rules and terms established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

3. In order to provide for the targeted and purposeful breeding of animals, the following shall be prohibited:

a) the breeding of potentially dangerous dogs;

b) the breeding of mixed breed (cross-breed) animals;

c) the breeding of an animal that is not identified and registered in the unified database;

d) the mating of an animal with a wild animal.

4. An authorised body of a municipality shall issue consent for the breeding of a pedigree animal on the basis of a health certificate issued by a veterinary institution and a certificate of breeding qualities and the suitability for breeding issued by a cynological/feline institution.

5. A breeding facility shall carry out the breeding of the pedigree animals in accordance with the rules and conditions established by Article 13 of this Law, on the basis of relevant registration.

6. An authorised body of a municipality shall issue the relevant consent to the owner for the breeding of a pedigree animal once for a 2-year period, with the right to extend the term for up to 1 year.

7. A litter obtained by an owner as a result of the reproduction of a pedigree animal shall be identified and registered in accordance with the procedure established by Article 16 of this Law.

8. A pedigree animal bred by an owner shall be subject to sterilisation/castration in accordance with the procedure and within the time frame established by the legislation of Georgia.

9. In addition to the prohibitions established by paragraph 3 of this article, the Government of Georgia shall be authorised to declare a moratorium on the temporary import and/or breeding of an animal.

10. The obligation of sterilisation/castration established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia shall not apply to an exhibition animal that complies with the relevant species/individual and breeding characteristics and is intended for participation in animal exhibitions.

11. Before the deadline for the sterilisation/castration established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia is reached, the owner shall be obliged to apply to the registration authority to designate the animal as an exhibition animal in the unified database.

12. If, within a 2-year period from the registration provided for by paragraph 11 of this article, the owner is not able to obtain a certificate confirming the participation of the animal in the animal exhibition, he/she shall be obliged to apply to the registration authority to make changes to the unified database.

13. In the case provided for by paragraph 12 of this article, after the status of an animal as an exhibition animal is cancelled, it shall be subject to sterilisation/castration in accordance with the procedure and within the time frame established by the legislation of Georgia.

14. Paragraphs 1–13 of this article shall not apply to a service dog.

15. The procedure and conditions for handling a service dog shall be determined by an ordinance of the Government of Georgia.

 

Article 18 – Management of population of stray/cared-for animals

1. For the purpose of the welfare and management of the population of the stray/cared-for animals, an authorised body of a municipality shall provide for the identification and registration, sterilisation/castration and anti-rabies vaccination of the stray/cared-for animals.

2. To provide for the population management, the authorised body of the municipality shall be obliged to perform the following procedures for an unattended/stray/cared-for animal:

a) the capture and isolation of dogs applying humane methods;

b) the verification of the information on the identification and registration of an animal in the unified database;

c) the determination of the health status (veterinary service) and behaviour characteristics of an animal;

d) the identification and registration of an animal;

e) the sterilisation/castration of an animal in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, if its health status allows so;

f) the post-surgery rehabilitation of an animal;

g) the anti-rabies vaccination of an animal;

h) the deworming and/or full vaccination of an animal, if necessary.

3. In the case provided for by paragraph 2(a) of this article, capturing a nursing dog shall be allowed only together with its litter, except where the nursing dog requires emergency veterinary services.

4. After undergoing the relevant procedure provided for by paragraph 2(b) of this article, the animal must be immediately provided with veterinary services.

5. Based on the veterinary service provided for by paragraph 4 of this article, an animal may be placed in quarantine/isolation by a decision of the veterinarian.

6. In the case of the biting/scratching/slobbering another animal and/or a person by an animal, the animal must be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

7. After performing the procedures provided for by paragraph 2 of this article, an authorised body of a municipality shall be obliged to carry out the necessary actions to find the owner/caretaker (including posting a photograph of the animal and detailed information thereof on the website of an authorised body of a municipality and/or on social networks), and if it is unable to carry out these actions, to register the animal as a stray animal in accordance with the procedure established by Article 16 of this Law.

8. An authorised body of a municipality shall be obliged to carry out active communication and coordination with the Agency, including by carrying out disinfection or other measures established by the legislation of Georgia to prevent the spreading of rabies or other zoonotic diseases.

 

Article 19 – Inappropriate and cruel treatment of animals

1. It shall be prohibited to treat an animal in an inappropriate or cruel manner or to facilitate such actions, including the following:

a) beating an animal;

b) keeping an animal permanently on a leash;

c) subjecting an animal to a physical workload that causes it to suffer;

d) inciting an animal to aggression and/or encouraging it against the health and/or life of another animal and/or a person;

e) conducting veterinary operations as determined by Article 10(4) of this Law for non-medical purposes or without a functional purpose;

f) inflicting wounds on or mutilating an animal, or causing other damage (including during a traffic accident) that is dangerous to life and/or health;

g) using an animal for scientific experiments and/or performing lab tests on it, except for the cases provided for by the Law of Georgia on Health Care;

h) organising and conducting animal fights and providing venues for such fights;

i) other actions causing an animal to suffer.

2. The prohibition provided for by paragraph 1(d) of this article shall not apply to a service dog.

3. Liability for the actions provided for by this article shall be determined by the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia and the Criminal Code of Georgia.

 

Article 20 – General requirements for the movement of a companion animal

1. The movement of animals to ensure the welfare thereof and provide a safe environment for the cohabitation of humans and animals, including their walking, travel and partaking in events shall be performed in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

2. Walking a dog in public places, including a boulevard, a park or a pocket park (except for specially designated places) shall be permitted only with a leash or a muzzle on, except for the cases provided for by paragraph 8(b) of this article.

3. It shall be prohibited to bring animals into the buildings of early and pre-school education and training institutions, general education institutions, higher education and vocational education institutions (except for the cases of participation in educational and cultural events), as well as into hospitals, except for cats and small dogs who can be brought in lifted up in one's arms or by a special carrier (container, bag), as well as an assistant dog.

4. Travelling with an animal in public transport determined by the legislation of Georgia shall be allowed with a leash or a muzzle on, and in the case of cats and small dogs, lifted in one's arms or by a special carrier (container, bag).

5. Using an animal in sporting, cultural or entertainment events shall be permitted in accordance with the species/individual characteristics of the animal, without causing harm to it.

6. Conducting sporting, cultural or entertainment events with the participation of an animal in public space shall be permitted in an area previously agreed upon with an authorised body of a municipality.

7. If the sign prohibiting the entry of an animal is put up, the person shall be obliged to place the leash of an animal in the adjacent territory.

8. A representative authority of a municipality shall be authorised to additionally determine the following by the rules for maintenance and ownership of pet animals:

a) the places where dogs are not allowed;

b) specially allocated places where walking a dog without a leash is allowed;

c) a different rule for walking, travelling and partaking in events (including the rule for the use of a leash).

9. This article shall not apply to service dogs.

 

Article 21 – Euthanasia of animals

1. Under the legislation of Georgia, the euthanasia of an animal by inhumane methods shall be prohibited.

2. The euthanasia of an animal must be performed without causing physical pain and suffering to the animal, using substances subject to special control or therapeutic agents equivalent to pharmaceutical products subject to special control.

3. The euthanasia of an animal on the basis of the conclusion of a veterinarian that is based on relevant studies and/or veterinary observation shall be performed only by an authorised person, a veterinarian or a veterinary technician under the supervision of a veterinarian.

4. Under the legislation of Georgia, the following may serve as the basis for the euthanasia of an animal:

a) the aggressive behaviour of an animal impervious to correction that does not allow its cohabitation with another animal and/or a person, including idiopathic aggression (rage syndrome) and biting not provoked by aggression or improper treatment towards it;

b) complete paralysis, paresis and/or other incurable disease;

c) a suspicion of rabies infection/disease only on the basis of the preconditions provided for by the legislation of Georgia;

d) an infection particularly dangerous for human and/or animal health;

e) a trauma and/or injury incompatible with life;

f) irreversible atrophy;

g) a congenital defect incompatible with life.

5. To establish the circumstances provided for by paragraph 4(a) of this article, in addition to the conclusion of a veterinarian, a conclusion of a cynological/feline institution is also necessary.

6. After the completion of the procedure for euthanasia, the veterinarian shall make sure that the animal is dead, after which its carcass may be disposed of in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

7. After the euthanasia of an animal, a medical examination of the animal shall be permitted.

 

Article 22 – Legal acts to be adopted in connection with this Law

The Government of Georgia shall ensure the approval of the following legal acts by 1 March 2026:

a) the procedure for establishing the terms and conditions for the identification and registration of pet animals and the management of the unified database;

b) technical regulations concerning the terms and procedure for sterilisation/castration and the breeding of pet animals.

 

Article 23 – Transitional provisions relating to the entry into force of the Law

1. By 1 March 2026, the Government of Georgia shall ensure:

a) compliance with this Law of the Ordinance of the Government of Georgia on the Approval of the Requirements Relating to the Operation of Business Operators Carrying out Veterinary Activities;

b) compliance with this Law of the Ordinance of the Government of Georgia on the Approval of the Procedure for Exercising State Veterinary Control of Business Operators Carrying out Veterinary Activities and Agricultural Markets/Fairs Where Live Animals Are Sold.

2. To efficiently carry out the actions related to animal population management, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, in coordination with the Ministry of Regional Development of Georgia and the municipalities, shall, by 1 February 2026, draft and submit the following legal acts to the Government of Georgia for approval:

a) on a moratorium on dog breeding for the purpose of overpopulation management;

b) on a temporary procedure (programme) for the regulation of the management of the dog overpopulation.

3. The Government of Georgia shall, by 1 March 2026, approve the legal acts provided for by paragraph 2 of this article.

4. The temporary procedure (programme) for the regulation of the management of the dog overpopulation provided for by paragraph 2(b) of this article shall, at least, determine the following:

a) measures for the universal identification and registration, sterilisation/castration and anti-rabies vaccination of stray/cared-for dogs throughout the country;

b) if necessary, additional support measures for owners residing in rural areas of a relevant municipality based on the specifics of the municipality;

c) a plan for the procurement and delivery, by all municipalities, of veterinary services for the purpose of the identification and registration, sterilisation/castration and anti-rabies vaccination of stray/cared-for dogs, as well as actions necessary for the implementation of this temporary procedure (programme) by municipalities.

5. The Ministry of Finance of Georgia shall ensure that the funds relating to the implementation of the measures for the animal population management determined by the temporary procedure (programme) for the regulation of the management of the dog overpopulation provided for by paragraph 2(b) of this article and, if necessary, determined by this Law, are taken into consideration when determining the threshold volume of allocation for a relevant spending institution in the midterm period (document on the primary data and directions of the country) and when developing the draft Law of Georgia on the State Budget of Georgia for the relevant year.

6. By 1 March 2026, municipalities shall ensure the approval of the rules for maintenance and ownership of pet animals or, if such rules exist, their compliance with this Law.

7. By 1 January 2027, an owner shall ensure the identification and registration of an animal in accordance with the procedure established by this Law.

8. An owner who has already identified an animal, shall apply to the registration authority by 1 January 2027 for the purpose of registration of the animal in the unified database.

9. A caretaker who has already identified an animal, shall apply to the registration authority by 1 January 2027 for the purpose of registration of the animal in the unified database.

10. An owner whose animal has been sterilised or castrated before the entry into force of this Law, shall, by 1 January 2027, apply to the registration authority to enter information on the sterilisation/castration of the animal into the unified database.

11. The obligations provided for by Article 7(1)(e) and (f) of this Law shall not apply to an owner who has registered an animal before 1 January 2027.

12. The requirement provided for by Article 7(4) of this Law shall not apply to an owner who has, before 1 January 2027, registered a potentially dangerous dog as defined by this Law.

13. A breeding facility existing before the entry into force of this Law shall be obliged to undergo registration with an authorised body of a municipality as provided for by Article 13(2) of this Law by 1 January 2027.

14. An authorised body of a municipality, a veterinary institution, a shelter and a breeding facility existing before the entry into force of this Law shall, by 1 May 2026, apply to the Agency to have access to the unified database to fully exercise the powers determined by this Law.

15. A temporary animal accommodation facility (hotel), a cynological institution, a feline institution, a dealer and an animal care and hygiene (grooming) facility existing before the entry into force of this Law shall, by 1 May 2026, apply to the Agency to have access (without the right to make registrations and modifications) to the unified database to fully exercise the powers determined by this Law.

16. By 1 July 2026, the Agency shall:

a) provide an authorised body of a municipality, a veterinary institution, a shelter and a breeding facility access to the unified database on the basis of the application determined by paragraph 14 of this article;

b) provide a temporary accommodation facility (hotel), a cynological institution, a feline institution, a dealer and an animal care and hygiene (grooming) facility access to the unified database on the basis of the application determined by paragraph 15 of this article (without the right to make registrations and modifications).

17. The Government of Georgia shall, by 1 July 2027, ensure the approval of the procedures for the certification of a cynologist and a felinologist.

18. Natural persons engaged in the maintenance, breeding, training, socialisation and behaviour modification of animals, shall be obliged to complete a professional programme for a certified cynologist/felinologist by 1 July 2028 and/or apply to the relevant body for the recognition of non-formal education in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

 

Article 24 – Entry into force of the law

1. This Law, except for its Articles 1-21, shall enter into force upon its publication.

2. Articles 1-4, Article 7(1)(g) and (i-m) and Article 7(2), Article 8(1), (4) and (5) and Article 8(6)(b), (d-e), Article 9(1) and (3), Article 10(1-4) and (11-14), Article 11(1-3), (8) and (11-13), Article 12(1-2), Article 14(1), (5-6) and (8), Article 15(1) and (5-6), Article 19, Article 20(8) and Article 21 of this Law shall enter into force from 1 January 2026.

3. Articles 5 and 6, Article 7(1)(a-f) and (h) and Article 7(3-5), Article 8(2-3), Article 8(6)(a), (c) and (f-h) and Article 8(7), Article 9(2), Article 10(5-10), Article 11(4-7) and (9-10), Article 12(3-6), Article 13(1-4), Article 13(5)(b-j) and Article13(6-8), Article 14(3-4), (7) and (9), Article 15(2-4), Articles 16-18 and Article 20(1-7) and (9) of this Law shall enter into force from 1 July 2026.

4. Article 13(5)(a) and Article 14(2) of this Law shall enter into force from 1 July 2028.

 

 

President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili

 

 

Tbilisi,

2 July 2025

No 906-III რს -XI მპ