Georgia Photo: Mother Madonna

Temo Bardzimashvili

Tamar Kiknadze, dubbed "Mother Madonna," sits in a half-built house in the center of Tbilisi that serves as a shelter for herself, four dogs, and more than 10 cats. Kiknadze, homeless herself, says she started sheltering abandoned pets three years ago, when she picked up a stray dog and started taking care of him. Kiknadze, very protective of her charges, receives money from private donations to make sure the pets are vaccinated, well fed, and healthy.

Temo Bardzimashvili is a freelance photojournalist based in Tbilisi.