Pet-friendly
Good to know
Good to Know
- Bring your pet's paperwork (rabies certificate, microchip proof, health certificate) as physical printed copies — spot checks at the border are possible even though quarantine is rare for compliant pets.
- If you plan to travel onward from Georgia to the EU or another country with your pet, start researching that destination's rabies titer test requirements early, since Georgia is classified as a high-rabies-risk country for return-trip purposes even though Georgia itself doesn't require a titer test on entry.
- Central neighborhoods (Old Town, Vera, Vake) have the densest concentration of genuinely pet-welcoming cafés, restaurants, and hotels — pet policies get less consistent further from the center.
- Tbilisi's street dogs are generally calm and well-fed, but they are still animals in a public space, not pets — supervise children and your own leashed pet around them as you would anywhere.
- Tbilisi has a large, municipally-managed population of tagged and vaccinated street dogs that are generally docile; they're a normal part of street life in parks and on café terraces, not a safety concern for most visitors, but it's still wise to let your own dog approach cautiously.
- Most city parks allow dogs on leads, with some informal off-lead areas, but there's no consistent city-wide off-leash dog park infrastructure — ask locally or your accommodation for the nearest good spot.
- Dogs are generally accepted on public transport and in taxis at the driver's discretion, but it's best to confirm before boarding, especially for larger dogs.
- Clinic price lists (where published) are usually only in GEL and quoted in person or via WhatsApp/phone rather than fully online — call ahead to confirm current pricing for your pet's specific needs.
- English or Russian-speaking vets are common at the larger clinics (Vet House, KIVI, Vetlife, Bionika), which is helpful for nomads without Georgian language skills.
Acceptance And Travel Requirements
Social Acceptance
- Everyday Life
- In the Old Town, Vera, and Vake, dogs are part of everyday life, and hotels and cafés in these areas are chosen precisely because they embrace that culture rather than merely tolerating it.
- Honest Tensions
- Formal legislation protecting domesticated animals is limited, and dedicated non-state-run shelters are few due to funding constraints, meaning owner-surrendered or sick animals sometimes have nowhere to go. Adoption rates for strays remain relatively low despite active local rescue Facebook communities.
- Overall Summary
- Tbilisi is broadly welcoming toward pets, especially dogs. Locals and hospitality businesses in the central, nomad-relevant neighborhoods are used to seeing animals in public life.
- Cafes Restaurants Hotels
- Several outdoor-patio restaurants and cafés (e.g. around Fabrika, a converted sewing factory hosting multiple eateries and a pet-friendly hostel) allow leashed dogs at outdoor tables, and a themed pet café concept has also opened in the city so owners and pets can socialize together. Many hotels in the center advertise no-fee pet policies for dogs up to a stated weight limit.
- Street Dog Context
- Tbilisi has a very large population of street dogs, estimated at around 80,000 in the city alone, out of roughly 500,000 nationwide. These strays are generally described as remarkably well-kept, fed by locals, and often tagged/vaccinated under municipal programs, and are usually calm around people. They are a normal, tolerated part of street life rather than a hazard, though as with any street animal population caution and normal common sense around unfamiliar dogs is warranted.
Travel Requirements
- Microchip
- Since January 1, 2023, all cats and dogs must already be microchipped prior to traveling to Georgia, per Georgia's ordinance on pet import.
- Quarantine
- Upon entry, animals may be subject to veterinary inspection at the border, and authorities can require quarantine only if there is doubt about the animal's health status or documentation is incomplete — it is not a routine requirement for compliant pets.
- Import Limits
- For non-commercial travel, up to five pets (dogs, cats, and/or ferrets combined) are allowed per traveler.
- Rabies Titer Test
- Georgia does not require a rabies antibody titer test for cats and dogs entering from any country. However, the World Organization for Animal Health classifies Georgia itself as a high-rabies-risk country, which matters mainly for the return trip: many destination countries (especially EU states) will require a titer test for a pet that has been in Georgia before it can re-enter, so this should be arranged well before departure if you plan to leave again with the pet.
- Rabies Vaccination
- Cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 21 days and 11 months prior to entering Georgia. If it is the pet's first-ever rabies shot, the 21-day wait before travel is mandatory; a booster given within the validity window of a prior vaccination does not require a new wait, but proof of both vaccinations should be carried.
- Governing Authority
- Rules for bringing companion animals into Georgia are set by Georgia's National Food Agency.
- Additional Recommended Vaccines
- Within 11 months of import, dogs should also be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza, and cats against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia, per general pet-passport requirements.
- Country Note
- Georgia is not an EU member state, so the EU Pet Passport is not the official Georgian import document — some general pet-travel guides mention an 'EU pet passport' generically, but Georgia's own requirements center on a country-specific veterinary/export health certificate, not the EU document.
- Overland Entry Note
- The most common overland entry points with a pet are via Turkey or Armenia; overland routes through Russia are not realistic for most travelers, and anyone routing via Azerbaijan should double check current transit rules.
Core Documents Needed
- A veterinary health certificate (or 'pet passport' collection of documents) confirming the animal is healthy, issued and stamped by an authorized/accredited veterinarian
- Proof of microchip (ISO 11784 standard)
- Proof of current rabies vaccination
- Record of treatment against internal and external parasites prior to entry
Locally Issued Pet Passport
- Who Needs It
- Relevant for pets adopted or long-term resident in Georgia that need an outbound travel document, obtained via an accredited local vet with validation from the National Food Agency.
- Processing Time
- Typically up to two weeks depending on verification speed.
Cost Range
GEL
GEL
Dog Friendly Spaces
Rike Park
- Type
- park
- Notes
- Riverside park by the Kura/Mtkvari, popular for dog walks, within easy reach of the Old Town.
Vake Park
- Type
- park
- Notes
- Large central park with tracks for cycling and running plus a cable car up to Turtle Lake; a common dog-walking spot in the Vake district.
Turtle Lake (Above Vake Park)
- Type
- lake/green space
- Notes
- Reachable via cable car from Vake Park; used for walking and outings with pets, though it's above the immediate park itself.
Mtatsminda Park Area / Forested Paths
- Type
- park/hillside trails
- Notes
- Forested paths on Mtatsminda hill are noted as a good outing spot for dogs, with views over the city.
Dedaena Park
- Type
- park
- Notes
- A riverside park described as having fountains, a skate park, occasional markets, and numerous friendly stray dogs around the grounds.
Mziuri Park (with Mziuri Cafe Inside)
- Type
- park with cafe
- Notes
- A cozy park in Vake with an on-site cafe that has outdoor seating, healthy food, and a relaxed atmosphere suitable for sitting with a dog.
Central Park (Saburtalo/Vake Border)
- Type
- park
- Notes
- A flat, circular park with a running track, described as good for letting dogs and kids roam, and home to many friendly street dogs.
Typical Pet Care Costs
- Note
- Prices below are sourced from one clinic's (Bionika) published rate card; other clinics' rates are broadly similar but not itemized publicly. Costs vary by clinic, pet size/species, and complexity of the procedure.
Items
General Check-up / Consultation
- Cost
- GEL 50
Core Vaccination (From)
- Cost
- GEL 55
Surgery, E.g. Sterilization (From)
- Cost
- GEL 150
Dental Cleaning (From)
- Cost
- GEL 150
International Pet Passport / Microchipping
- Cost
- GEL 50
Grooming (Bath, Nail Trim, Haircut, From)
- Cost
- GEL 80
Trusted Vets And Animal Hospitals
Vet House
- Hours
- Daily 10:00–20:00 (reception until 19:30)
- Address
- 70 Mickiewicz St., Tbilisi
- Notes
- Full-service veterinary hospital with emergency assistance, grooming, laboratory, pharmacy and training services.
KIVI (Kartli International Veterinary Institute)
- Address
- 35-37 Zhiuli Shartava St., Tbilisi
- Notes
- Described as one of the first multi-profile veterinary clinics in Georgia, with specialists in neurology, orthopedics, dentistry, oncology, intensive care, anesthesiology, ophthalmology and rehabilitation, plus ultrasound and X-ray equipment. Reviewers note staff who speak Georgian, English and Russian.
Vetlife Animal Hospital
- Languages
- Georgian, English, Russian mentioned in reviews
- Notes
- A larger hospital founded by Sergo Osipov, now with a team of around 20 staff and multiple narrow specialties, offering diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, vaccination and 24-hour inpatient monitoring. Has treated roughly 40,000 patients since opening.
Bionika Vet Clinic
- Hours
- Daily 11:00–20:00
- Address
- Isani district (63 Beri Gabriel Salosi Ave.)
- Contact
- +995 511 25 24 70 (also WhatsApp/Telegram)
- Notes
- Modern clinic offering preventive care, surgery, dentistry, emergency support, grooming and pet travel/passport documentation. English & Russian speaking staff.
ZaraVet
- Notes
- Tbilisi clinic offering general veterinary care plus dedicated pet dentistry services.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
This section has no cited sources.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.