With the upcoming midterm elections on November 3, the Georgia Pet Coalition is emphasizing the importance of voter awareness regarding state lawmakers' records on animal welfare. This nonpartisan group advocates for pets and pets’ rights at the state and local government levels. Peggy McCarthey, a board member of the coalition, stated, "We do not endorse candidates, and we remain nonpartisan. But we do want to educate our voters about what the pertinent issues are."
Read More
To inform supporters, the coalition has circulated legislative scorecards for the state House and Senate, along with a checklist of animal welfare-related questions for candidates at town halls and community events. McCarthey noted that advocating for pets doesn’t necessarily require lobbying at the Capitol but can involve engaging with local lawmakers, city councils, and county commissions.
This past year, the coalition supported nine bills, six of which passed with bipartisan support. In 2025, they supported ten bills, seven of which were successful. Recent legislation supported by the coalition has addressed vital issues, including increasing protections for pets in instances of family violence and creating a database of animal cruelty offenders.
Despite the progress, McCarthey pointed out that challenges remain, such as the rising number of homeless animals. Data indicates that over 20,000 dogs died in Georgia public shelters from 2021 to 2025, marking an increase of nearly 10,000 dogs during that time. She mentioned the potential public health implications of stray animals, such as disease transmission, increased bite incidents, and traffic accidents.
Norcross Democratic state Rep. Marvin Lim highlighted the general legislative agreement on animal protection, although budget constraints often limit funding for related initiatives. This year, the governor vetoed over $300 million in new spending, impacting various programs, including those related to domestic violence.
Issues like statewide bans on tethering dogs or cockfighting encounter cultural resistance, with Georgia being the only state where cockfighting is not classified as a felony. Republican state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick expressed her commitment to animal welfare legislation, having sponsored bills that include partial student loan repayments for veterinarians working in shelters. She emphasized the need for continued efforts against abusive practices like puppy mills, which burden rescue organizations.
Kirkpatrick observed that the public is sensitive to animal welfare, noting, "Everybody cares about animals, and they are a big part of many of our lives. People don’t like seeing animals treated poorly, and legislators reflect that sentiment as well."