Amendments to Georgia's Pet Ownership Law: What Pet Owners and Tenants Need to Know in 2026
Georgia's legislation has been updated with important amendments to existing pet ownership regulations. These changes aim to establish unified standards for pet care, protect animal health, and ensure harmonious living in urban environments.
At Flip Flat, we regularly help tenants with pets find quality apartments in Tbilisi. To help you easily navigate the updated regulations, we have prepared a concise overview of all key changes.
1. Registration in the Unified Register and Key Exemption Until 2027
The main set of amendments concerns pet registration through a Unified Electronic Database managed by the National Food Agency (NFA).
Identification: All dogs and cats are subject to mandatory identification—primarily via microchipping. The database records the animal's details, vaccination history, and the owner's contact information (anyone aged 16 or older can register a pet under their name).
Deadline: Existing pets must be registered in the Unified Register by January 1, 2027.
If your pet is already microchipped abroad: Re-chipping is not required. Owners simply need to visit a local veterinary clinic to enter the existing microchip number into the Georgian NFA database.
⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNING FOR PET OWNERS:Mandatory Spaying/Neutering After January 1, 2027
The most critical aspect of these amendments: the requirement for mandatory spaying/neutering does not apply to cats and dogs registered in the Unified Register before January 1, 2027.
However, if you fail to register your pet before this date, spaying or neutering will become legally MANDATORY.
2. Dog Walking, Public Transport, and Urban Cleanliness
The updated regulations clearly define rules for pets in public spaces across Tbilisi:
Walking Rules: In parks, squares, and public streets, dogs must be kept strictly on a leash or muzzled. Off-leash walking is only permitted in designated municipal dog parks.
Hygiene: Owners are required to clean up after their pets in all public areas.
Public Transit: Dogs must be transported on a leash or with a muzzle, while cats and small dogs should be kept in suitable pet carriers.
3. Ban on Cosmetic Surgeries and Rules for Residential Buildings
The amendments introduce strict restrictions on non-medical veterinary procedures and regulate commercial activities within residential properties:
Ban on Cosmetic Surgeries: Non-therapeutic cosmetic procedures are now strictly prohibited by law in Georgia, including ear cropping, tail docking, declawing, vocal cord alteration, and tooth removal.
Breeding Regulations: Breeding mixed-breed animals is now prohibited. Non-commercial breeding is allowed only with official authorization from both the municipality and a recognized breed club.
Pet Hotels and Kennels in Apartments: Opening a pet hotel or kennel inside an apartment building requires formal consent from a majority of the building's residents. This requirement does not apply to standard residential living with a personal pet.
4. How the Amendments Affect Services and Housing Rentals
For current and prospective tenants, these regulations bring greater transparency and reduce potential conflicts with property owners:
Services at Clinics and Salons: Veterinary clinics, grooming salons, and pet hotels are required to verify a pet's NFA registration before providing routine services (exceptions apply for emergency medical care).
A Stronger Advantage When Renting: Having a microchip, veterinary passport, and official registry status is clear proof of responsible pet ownership. Property owners in Tbilisi are significantly more willing to rent to tenants with fully documented pets.
5. Support and Care from Flip Flat
At Flip Flat, we ensure a smooth rental process for tenants while fully aligning with current legal requirements:
Landlord Negotiations: We present your pet to property owners, provide proof of responsible care, and negotiate favorable move-in terms.
Professional Cleaning: When moving out, you won't have to worry about cleaning. You can always book services through our partner service, Flip Clean (paid separately), for deep cleaning and furniture dry cleaning to return the property in pristine condition.
0% Commission: All apartment search and transaction support services remain completely free for tenants—our fees are covered by the landlord.
Looking for Housing in Tbilisi?
Head over to our Flip Flat Telegram bot to browse available options by district, budget, and number of rooms. Our team will coordinate directly with property owners to arrange a smooth move-in with your pet.