Vet

Who this page is for

For travellers arriving with a pet and foreigners moving to Georgia with their animal.

And for people who have adopted a street animal here and want to look after it and, perhaps, take it home later.

Our role

We are not vets and we do not decide on an animal's treatment.

We choose the clinic, arrange the visit, interpreting and transport, and check document requirements with the relevant services. We take no commission from clinics.

Choosing a clinic

Tbilisi and Batumi have several veterinary clinics with different levels of equipment.

We check whether a clinic has a laboratory, X-ray and surgical facilities.

Owners' reviews and the vet's experience with your particular animal matter.

Emergency help

Some clinics are open at night, while others work only during the day.

We suggest you know the address of the nearest night clinic as soon as you arrive.

In an emergency we call the clinic ahead and arrange transport.

Emergency signs

Difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, collapse, seizures or a rapidly swelling belly are reasons for an immediate visit.

Suspected poisoning or being hit by a car are also emergencies.

In that case call us and the clinic, and move the animal calmly and keep it warm.

Language at the visit

Some vets speak English or Russian, others only Georgian.

If needed, an interpreter joins in person or by phone.

We write the medication dose and care instructions in your language.

Your pet's history

Records of previous vaccinations, tests and treatment save the vet time.

Always carry the pet passport and digital copies.

We translate the records if needed.

Vaccinations

The vet sets the vaccination schedule according to the animal's age, health and lifestyle.

A rabies vaccination is often compulsory for crossing a border.

Every vaccination must be entered in the pet passport, and we remind the vet of this.

Microchip

Many countries require a microchip for bringing an animal in.

The chip number must be the same on every document.

If the animal has no chip, the vet can fit one here, and it must be done before the vaccination if the destination country requires that order.

Bringing a pet into Georgia

The entry requirements depend on the country you are coming from and change from time to time.

Often a veterinary certificate, proof of rabies vaccination and identification are needed.

We check the current rules with the relevant service before you arrive.

Airline rules

Airlines have their own rules for carrying animals: in the cabin, in the hold or as cargo.

Some breeds and sizes are restricted, and in summer heat some airlines do not take animals in the hold.

We book the pet's place together with your ticket, because space is limited.

Taking a pet out of Georgia

For export, the destination country's requirements apply, and some countries are very strict.

Some countries require an antibody test and a set waiting period.

So we start preparing early and plan the timeline with the vet and the relevant service.

Export certificate

Taking an animal out often requires an official veterinary certificate issued by the authorised service.

The certificate has its own validity period and must be issued shortly before the flight.

We plan the date together with the flight so it does not expire.

Adopting a street animal

Many foreigners in Georgia adopt a street dog or cat.

The first step is a vet visit: a check-up, tests, vaccinations and a microchip.

If you want to take the animal home later, we prepare the documents from the start to the destination country's requirements.

Street animals

There are many street dogs and cats in cities and villages, and most of them are calm.

Do not stroke unfamiliar animals, and do not let your pet approach them.

If an animal bites or scratches you, see a doctor immediately - we help with this.

Ticks and parasites

Ticks and other parasites are common in forests and fields, especially in the warm season.

The vet recommends an anti-parasite treatment as soon as you arrive.

Check your pet carefully after a hike.

With a pet in the mountains

In the mountains, flocks of sheep are often guarded by large shepherd dogs.

Give flocks a wide berth, keep your dog on a lead and do not disturb the shepherd.

Altitude, cold and long trails are tiring for animals too, so we choose the route accordingly.

Heat

In summer the heat in the cities is strong, and the asphalt burns an animal's paws.

We plan walks for early morning and evening.

Never leave an animal in a car, even for a short time.

Pet-friendly accommodation

Not every hotel or apartment accepts animals, and some set extra conditions.

We explain pet-friendly accommodation on a separate page.

When booking we always state the animal's size, number and breed.

Long-term rentals

For long-term rentals some landlords do not accept animals, while others ask for an extra deposit.

We include the animal in the flat-search brief from the start.

A flat with a yard or near a park makes a big difference for a dog owner.

A pet in the city

In the city dogs are walked on a lead, and picking up after them is the owner's duty.

Tbilisi has several parks and dog-walking areas.

Some cafés and restaurants welcome animals, and we recommend such places.

Transport with a pet

Taxi drivers do not always accept animals, so we check in advance.

For travel between cities a private driver is the most convenient.

On long drives we plan breaks for the animal too.

Food and pet pharmacies

Pet food and veterinary pharmacies are available in the cities.

A particular brand is not always on sale, so a small supply is wise.

Switch food gradually over a few days so the stomach does not get upset.

Sitters and pet hotels

If you cannot take your pet on a tour, we find a sitter or a pet hotel.

We check the conditions, cleanliness and who will be with the animal.

Leaving the pet for a short time first helps it adjust.

Grooming and hygiene

Pet salons in the cities offer grooming, nail trimming and bathing.

Long-haired dogs especially need grooming in the summer heat.

We choose a salon where animals are treated calmly.

Surgery and treatment

If your pet needs an operation, the vet explains the plan, the risks and recovery.

Before major treatment a second vet's opinion is worth having.

We write out the post-operative care instructions in your language.

Older pets

Older pets often have a chronic condition and regular medication.

Before travelling, the vet's opinion on a long flight and the climate matters.

Carry a supply of medication and previous reports.

Cats

Cats often take longer than dogs to get used to a new environment.

In the first days after arrival a cat needs a quiet room, familiar things and its litter tray.

Check the windows and balcony in a new flat in advance so the cat cannot fall.

Puppies and kittens

A very young animal has not finished its vaccinations yet, and crossing a border is often not possible.

Some countries set a minimum age for entry.

We plan a puppy's or kitten's travel together with the vet and the rules.

Neutering

Spaying and neutering are routine operations at clinics in Georgia.

For an adopted street animal it is often the first operation, on the vet's advice.

After the operation the animal needs a few quiet days, and we plan travel around that.

Preventive check-ups

If you live here long-term, your pet needs regular check-ups, just as at home.

The vet checks teeth, ears, weight and skin.

We often plan the annual visit together with a vaccination.

Water and food on the road

On a long journey an animal needs water regularly, especially in summer.

A light meal a few hours before a flight is better so the animal does not feel sick on the way.

Always keep a folding bowl and a water bottle in the pet bag.

Travel stress

Flying, new smells and new sounds are stressful for animals.

A familiar blanket, a toy and keeping to the usual routine calm the animal.

Only a vet should prescribe a sedative, because some are dangerous during a flight.

Meeting other animals

In dog parks and walking areas your pet meets other animals.

Vaccinations and anti-parasite treatment are especially important then.

A first meeting with an unfamiliar dog is best done calmly and on a lead.

Winter

Winter in the mountains is cold, and a short-haired or small dog needs a warm coat.

After a long walk in the snow, dry and check the paws.

Winter in the city is mild, but on cold and windy days we shorten walks.

Holidays and fireworks

At New Year and some holidays there are fireworks and noise in the cities.

Many animals are frightened then and sometimes try to run away.

On such an evening keep your pet indoors in a closed room, and ask the vet if needed.

Table scraps

The Georgian table is generous, and hosts sometimes treat animals too.

Bones, spicy and fatty food and some fruit are harmful to animals.

Politely ask your hosts not to feed your pet from the table.

Records for home

Your vet at home will need records of treatment and vaccinations given here.

We ask for everything to be entered in the pet passport and for a digital report too.

We translate the report into your language if needed.

Shelters and volunteering

Georgia has several animal shelters and volunteer groups.

Some foreigners help them with time, food or temporary fostering.

If you would like to get involved, we help you find reliable organisations.

End of life

Losing a pet, especially far from home, is very hard.

The vet explains the options, and we arrange that conversation calmly and in your language.

If you wish, we clarify the options and rules for cremation or burial.

A lost pet

If your pet goes missing, a microchip and a phone number on the collar help most.

We help spread the photo and details in local groups and clinics.

In a new place, keep an especially close eye on your pet in the first days.

Exotic animals

Birds, reptiles and other exotic animals need a specialist vet.

Moving some species is subject to international restrictions and requires a special permit.

In such cases we check the rules separately with the relevant service.

Pet insurance

Some owners buy pet insurance in their own country that also applies abroad.

For reimbursement a vet's report and a receipt are often needed.

We ask for the documents in English or in your language.

Travelling within the country

Travelling around Georgia with a pet is easiest by car.

Pets are not allowed into some tourist sites, monasteries and museums.

We plan the tour accordingly so the animal is never left alone in the car.

Children and pets

In a new place a pet is sometimes nervous, and its contact with children needs watching.

Explain to children in advance not to stroke street animals.

We also cover family travel with pets in the family section.

For people living here

People living here often look for a regular vet, a sitter and a pet hotel.

We help find reliable people near your home.

If you wish, we remind you of regular vaccination dates in advance.

Timelines and planning

Pet travel documents sometimes take weeks or even months, especially for strict countries.

So we plan backwards from the flight date.

We record each step in a table so nothing slips through.

Common mistakes

Starting the documents shortly before the flight, when the waiting period no longer fits.

Fitting the microchip after the rabies vaccination when the country requires the reverse.

Leaving a pet in a car in the heat.

What we need from you

What animal it is, its age, breed and health.

Where you are coming from, where you plan to go next, and the dates.

The pet passport, vaccination records and the language you want to speak with the vet in.

Cost

The clinic sets the price of veterinary services, and you pay the clinic directly.

State fees are official, while the interpreter and transport are separate items.

Our coordination is agreed in advance, and we take nothing from clinics.