Tbilisi – known by some as the “dog city” – is the capital of Georgia. It is a country at the crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
Located in a scenic valley on the Mutobari River, often referred to as the Kuhla River, it is a city with a rich and complex history spanning over 1,500 years.
Tourists are attracted to the location for a variety of reasons. Some want to walk along the charming cobblestone streets of the old town, while others marvel at the architecture of the Bridge of Peace and the Narikala fortress.
But the landscape, culture and history are not all that the destination has to offer. It will also be a hot spot for animal lovers. They lovingly call it the dog capital of the world.
For decades, stray dogs have become part of Tbilisi's urban environment. Traditionally, many residents of the city were tolerant of street dogs, with some locals feeding and caring for them.
Dogs appear to thrive in mild climates – and can often be seen dozing off at the doorways of shops and waving their tails at those passing by. It's not uncommon to see them hugging or taking public transport!
Locals work together to take care of the dogs. Some people feed the area, while others provide shelter and warm blankets.
A tourist called Gira recently visited the city and said, “Want to know about secret jewel dog lovers? You must visit Tbilisi, Georgia's capital.
“I've never seen so many dogs on the streets, but they're more common than they're caring for by locals. Some restaurants, businesses and hotels are available outside the facility to have food and small dog houses. We offer it!”
Unlike some countries that euthanize stray dogs, Georgia has a more humane approach. Tbilisi follows the “non-killing policy.”
While this is a positive development from an animal rights perspective, it also means that stray dogs are managed primarily through other methods such as sterilization and vaccination, which takes time to reduce the population.
To ensure the safety of dogs and humans, Tbilisi dogs wear colored ear tags. This is a tip that indicates that the dog has been vaccinated and sterilized.
However, despite measures being taken to care for the dog, many of which are considered friendly, there are some risks involved in visiting Tbilisi.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned people visiting Tbilisi to be vigilant against rabies. Not only do you get vaccinated before your trip, but if your dog bites or hurts you, see a doctor immediately.
