National Food Agency: Last 17 dogs from Kutaisi shelter to be returned to Zugdidi today; animals in Abasha and Vani also rejoin their communities

“Of the animals transferred from Zugdidi to the Kutaisi shelter for veterinary treatment as part of the domestic stray animal overpopulation management programme, just 17 remain in the facility, and they are to be returned to Zugdidi today, April 3,” the National Food Agency has announced.

According to the Agency, dogs will also be returned to their original environments in Abasha (five dogs) and Vani (three dogs).

“In the meantime, the National Food Agency continues to implement the measures provided for under the programme, in accordance with the action plan developed and agreed with local municipalities. The Agency published in advance the coordinates and times of its operational areas: 03.04 — Imereti, Zestaponi, area adjacent to the City Hall, 10:00; 03.04 — Imereti, Samtredia, area adjacent to the City Hall, 09:30; 04.04 — Kakheti, Kvareli, area adjacent to the City Hall, 10:30; 04.04 — Imereti, Kutaisi, area adjacent to the City Hall, 10:30; 06.04 — Imereti, Chiatura, area adjacent to the City Hall, 11:00; 06.04 — Kakheti, Sighnaghi, area adjacent to the City Hall, 11:00; 07.04 — Kakheti, Sighnaghi, Tsnori town centre, 11:00; 07.04 — Imereti, Tskaltubo, area adjacent to the City Hall, 11:00,” the statement reads.

The Agency also urges those who feed stray animals, along with animal welfare supporters, to bring the animals to the designated locations listed above, where rabies vaccinations will be administered on-site as necessary.

“Animals that have not yet been neutered or spayed will, with the agreement of the responsible individual, whether a feeder or an animal welfare supporter, be transferred to a shelter based on a formal record. Following the appropriate procedures and a period of recovery, the animals will be returned to their respective owners at the original collection site. A formal record will also be made in this process.

Should it prove impossible to bring animals to the stated location, several feeders may jointly contact the Agency. Teams will attend and carry out the necessary procedures at a location of their choosing,” the Agency’s statement concludes.