Animal welfare advocates in Georgia are mobilizing voters to focus on their lawmakers' records regarding pet issues as the November 3 election approaches. The Georgia Pet Coalition, a nonpartisan group, emphasizes the importance of educating the public on relevant animal welfare topics. 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."
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Recently, the coalition distributed legislative scorecards for the state House and Senate, along with a list of animal welfare-related questions for candidates at community events. McCarthey highlighted that advocating for pets doesn't require direct lobbying at the state Capitol; rather, it can involve engaging with local lawmakers and councils in a respectful manner.
This year, six out of nine pet-related bills supported by the coalition passed with bipartisan backing, and in 2025, seven out of ten were successful. Recent legislation has addressed important issues like protecting pets in cases of family violence and creating a database for animal cruelty offenders.
McCarthey noted the existence of many animal lovers among lawmakers, often evident when they share pet photos during committee meetings. However, she pointed out that Georgia still faces significant challenges, particularly regarding the number of homeless animals. Data revealed that over 20,000 dogs died in public shelters between 2021 and 2025, a rise of nearly 10,000 during that period.
She stressed that even for lawmakers who may not prioritize animal welfare, issues such as public health tied to pet population management need attention. High stray animal populations can lead to health risks, accidents, and increased funding demands for shelters. "Investing in pet population management, such as accessible spaying and neutering, can mitigate these downstream consequences," she said.
Democratic State Rep. Marvin Lim from Norcross, a proponent of animal welfare legislation, acknowledged widespread agreement among lawmakers regarding animal protection but noted that budget constraints often complicate matters. The governor vetoed over $300 million in new spending this year, which impacted funding for various domestic violence and animal welfare programs.
Lim also mentioned the cultural resistance to certain proposed bans, such as tethering dogs and cockfighting, which remains legal in Georgia.
Republican State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick of Marietta has advocated for animal welfare in various ways, including proposing bills for partial student loan repayments for veterinarians who work in shelters. She expressed hope that legislation addressing issues like cockfighting and property damage for rescuing pets from hot vehicles would gain traction. "We’ve still got work to do," she concluded, highlighting ongoing problems like puppy mills that burden rescue organizations and local governments.