QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES

​​QUESTIONS ON COMPANION ANIMAL ISSUES
Candidates Running for the Georgia State Legislature
General Election - November 3, 2026 

Select several questions that are meaningful to you and politely ask candidates their positions via town halls, emails or phone calls. Add your own questions to assess each candidate’s awareness of issues impacting your community or organization. Invite other advocates in your area to participate to amplify your influence. Be sure to check the voting records of incumbents.

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The questions shown below address some of the most critical issues in Georgia.  For the complete list of candidate questions, open this pdf file.​ 

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1. What actions have you taken in the past to positively impact the humane treatment and protection of animals? Please include any actions taken as a private citizen or public official.

2. For incumbents. Have you sponsored or co-sponsored any animal-related bills during your tenure in office? Can you tell us about your voting record on animal-related bills during your tenure in office?

3. Pet Homelessness. Georgia’s animal shelters and rescues continue to face significant challenges from pet overpopulation, shelter crowding, owner surrenders, stray animals and limited resources. At the same time, Georgia transports large numbers of dogs and cats to other states for adoption, while communities across the state continue to struggle with the costs of sheltering and caring for homeless animals. Many of the factors contributing to pet homelessness - including inadequate access to affordable spay/neuter services, irresponsible breeding, barriers to keeping pets in their homes, and inconsistent enforcement of existing animal-protection laws - are preventable. What initial steps would you take as a policymaker to reduce pet homelessness and shelter overcrowding in Georgia?

4. Pet Overpopulation.  Pet overpopulation is a multifaceted problem that contributes to shelter overcrowding, euthanasia, public health concerns, and increased taxpayer expense. The growing impact is evident in Georgia's government-operated shelters, where the number of dogs who died increased by 95% between 2021 and 2025, according to Georgia Department of Agriculture public shelter data.  Increasing access to affordable spay/neuter services is one of the most effective tools for addressing pet overpopulation, yet significant barriers remain for low-income households, rural communities, and those caring for free-roaming community cats.  Recognizing these challenges, Texas recently launched a $13 million dollar statewide grant program to expand access to low-cost spay/neuter services through partnerships with local governments, animal welfare organizations, and veterinary providers. Similar public-private partnerships in Georgia - including mobile veterinary clinics and high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) training for veterinarians - could help bring affordable services to underserved communities across the state.  Would you support legislation and/or funding initiatives that expand access to affordable spay/neuter services in Georgia?

5. Protecting Local Animal Welfare Ordinances. Sixteen Georgia jurisdictions have adopted local ordinances prohibiting the pet store sales of dogs and cats sourced from puppy or kitten mills, citing concerns about animal welfare, the sale of sick animals, and predatory consumer financing practices. The financial consequences for consumers were underscored by a 2025 report from the Florida Attorney General, which identified $25.1 million in documented, reportable expenditures by Florida consumers tied to deceptive pet sales. Since 2017, special interest groups have repeatedly attempted to overturn Georgia’s local ordinances through state preemption legislation. We believe decisions affecting local animal welfare should remain with local governments who are best positioned to address the unique needs and values of their residents, unless there is a compelling statewide interest. Would you oppose legislation that removes local governments' authority to adopt and enforce animal welfare ordinances?

6. Commercial Dog Breeding ("Puppy Mills"). Puppy mills are large commercial breeders that raise puppies in cramped, neglectful and disease-ridden conditions with little to no vet care. Puppies from these facilities are frequently sold through pet stores or online, resulting in significant veterinary expenses and heartbreak for consumers. Recent polling has found that approximately two-thirds of a sample of Georgia voters support stronger standards of care for commercial dog breeding facilities. Examples include daily exercise, annual veterinary examinations, appropriate vaccinations, and larger enclosures. Would you support legislation that further strengthens Georgia's standards of care for licensed commercial dog breeders?

7. Community Cats (i.e., unowned, free-roaming cats). There is growing consensus among veterinarians, animal shelters, and animal welfare organizations that Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) is a proven and effective tool for managing community cat populations. In 2023, Texas formally recognized TNVR as a legitimate population-management practice which protects individuals participating in TVNR programs (e.g., trappers and caregivers) from criminal liability associated with abandonment. Georgia currently does not have this protection. Would you support legislation that protects a person acting in accordance with a recognized TNVR program from criminal liability for abandonment solely as a result of returning a community cat to its original location following completion of the TNVR process?

8. Horse Racing. Since 2014, over 12,000 documented racehorse deaths have occurred at U.S. racetracks. This figure does not include the many thousands of horses that die offsite at training facilities or at slaughter facilities in Mexico and Canada. Further, 52 race tracks have closed since 2000 as the industry declines in popularity with consumers, and most tracks that remain are heavily subsidized by casino revenue and taxpayers. Would you support or oppose the establishment of the horse racing industry in Georgia?

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