Georgia, February 2, 2026 – A joint statement released by over 40 organizations and thousands of animal welfare activists in Georgia criticizes the National Food Agency’s program to manage stray and community animals. The initiative, a pilot program involving the sterilization and vaccination of 9,000 animals in selected municipalities, has been met with serious concerns regarding its execution. Activists allege significant shortcomings, including the failure to return a substantial number of animals and the lack of information provided to caretakers responsible for street animals.
Furthermore, the agency reportedly removed already sterilized and tagged animals, leading to wasted public funds and unnecessary placement of animals in shelters, often under conditions conducive to the spread of diseases like distemper and rabies. Long-distance transport and close contact with unfamiliar animals cause additional stress, undermining a humane approach to population control. Expanding on these issues, activists voiced apprehension regarding a planned 2026 program targeting over 36,000 stray dogs using the same logistical model.
They also criticized a new regulation prohibiting the return of dogs to areas surrounding certain facilities, deeming it vague and unenforceable. The activists argue that such restrictions simply displace the problem, creating new stray animals. The statement emphasizes the necessity of mass sterilization for a humane solution, demanding specific actions: animals taken to shelters must be returned to their original habitats with documented evidence, relocation causes disorientation and competition, and returning animals is crucial to the program’s purpose.
Legal guarantees, the removal of restrictive regulations, minimizing capture by the agency, and transparent information sharing are also key demands. Currently, 41 organizations and around 25,000 citizens have signed the statement, a number expected to grow, highlighting the widespread concern for the welfare of animals in Georgia.
Topics: #animals #georgia #statement
Georgia, February 2, 2026 – A coalition of more than forty organizations and numerous animal protection advocates in Georgia has voiced strong disapproval of the National Food Agency’s strategy for co