Georgia's Mass Roundup of 1,200 Stray Dogs Sparks Outrage Among Activists

Authorities in Georgia have rounded up around 1,200 stray dogs from the city of Zugdidi and transported them to a shelter in Kutaisi. The operation, carried out in March 2026, has sparked protests from animal rights activists who demand the animals be returned to their original locations. Georgia's large stray population—tens of thousands of dogs and cats—remains a contentious issue as the government pushes forward with a nationwide control program. The recent roundups in Zugdidi were organised by local officials and animal welfare groups. Salome Partsvania, an activist based in the city, witnessed the removals firsthand. Outside Zugdidi City Hall, she saw a vehicle packed with dozens of dogs, including one she had raised for years.

The National Food Agency is running a broader scheme to sterilise, castrate, and vaccinate up to 36,000 stray animals across the country. While activists support the goal of controlling the stray population, many criticise the methods used. They claim dogs are vanishing from urban areas without being returned, raising fears of abandonment in remote locations or even euthanasia. Protests have intensified as campaigners demand transparency and the safe return of the animals. Partsvania and others argue that the dogs, many of which were cared for by locals, should not be permanently displaced.

The government's stray animal program continues, but tensions remain high. Activists are pressing for clearer answers about the fate of the removed dogs. Without assurances, concerns over their welfare and the program's implementation are likely to persist.