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Lithuania
Autumn 2002
A truly impressive celebration of animals took place on Friday 4th October throughout Lithuania. Twelve months of planning and organising by the Lithuanian Society for the Protection of Animals (LiSPA) culminated in a magnificent display of compassion for our animal friends.
The central theme was a proclamation by LiSPA and the State Food & Veterinary Service of the Republic of Lithuania (SFVS) that read as follows: IN COMMEMORATION OF WORLD ANIMAL DAY, following St. Francis’ example, bestowing compassion to all animals, that Friday, October 4th, St. Francis of Assisi Day, be known as COMPASSION DAY in the REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA. Whereas on this day, animals are not to be slaughtered,loaded or transported to be killed, hunted, fished, experimented upon nor euthanized at shelters. (Unless deemed necessary by a physician or veterinarian as being in the best interest of the animal.) Whereas draught-horses, circus and other working animals are to be provided a day of rest. |
The following message was broadcast nationally: On this special day we want all Lithuanians to reflect on the importance of animals and the economic and social benefits that they bring to the people, reminding all to follow St. Francis’ example. We want to highlight the moral obligation that we all have to ensure that animals are not treated cruelly. How different our country would be if we did not have our cows to produce milk, our cattle to produce food, our horses to undertake farm work, our hens to provide eggs, our cats for companionship, our dogs for police and army work, our wild animals to provide biodiversity and the animals that we use for education and increased knowledge at our national zoo. These are just a few examples and there are many more ways in which we use animals for our benefit and pleasure. With all this comes a mandatory responsibility, shared by us all, to make sure that all animals are treated with care and that they live their lives, long or short, in a way that does not inflict cruelty or suffering. In our busy lives we have many duties and there is always much work to do and often we simply ignore or just forget the debt that we owe the animals of Lithuania. That is why we have chosen to designate one day in the year a celebration for animals and those that care for them. LiSPA invited all governmental and educational institutions, NGOs, religious communities, private companies and Lithuania’s people to honour Compassion Day. LiSPA has received support of this campaign from all institutions approached. Following St. Francis’ example, such a commemoration in Lithuania will become an admirable and humane tradition. AND ON FRIDAY 4th OCTOBER IT HAPPENED IN LITHUANIA |
On this Day in Lithuania:
- No animals were exported or imported.
- On this Day in Lithuania – No slaughtering took place.
- On this Day in Lithaunia – No experiments were conducted on animals.
- On this Day in Lithuania – Working animals were rested.
The day was launched at 6.00am on the national TV early morning programme together with numerious radio shows and alerts in the newspapers. Appearing on TV was the State Veterinary Service and the director of the National Zoo where the centerpiece of activities was to be conducted. Already over 2000 children were preparing to be at the Zoo that day.
(However, Lithuanians were already primed the prior Wednesday by a powerful 15 minute programme shown at peak viewing time where Henry Vaitiekunas, the country’s most popular broadcaster and presenter of Lithuania’s “Who wants to be a Millionaire” show, presented the above proclamation together with animal related film clips.)
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By 9.00am thousands of children had arrived at the Zoo, where later that day the First Lady of Lithuania Alma Adamkiene would arrive to formally open the “Zoo School”, a project financed by Naturewatch Foundation. Visitors were asked to bring a carrot, apple, banana or loaf of bread for the animals or make a donation towards the Zoo's Environmental Enrichment Programme. Groups of children and adults put on shows, competitions and entertainment all around the Zoo. The animals knew something was very special about this day and they reacted with great interest and curiosity. Franciscan Brother Paulius arrived and blessed the animals and the children. |
| As noon approached excitement was high as everyone anticipated the arrival of the Lithuanian First Lady. Massive applause broke out upon the First Lady’s entrance to the Zoo. National Government representation was by Dr Kazimieras Lukauskas, Director of the State Food & Veterinary Service, Mr Arunas Kundrotas, the Minister of Environment and a representative read out a personal message of best wishes from the Minister of Education. Attendance was also welcomed from the Lithuanian Veterinary Academy. |
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The President of LiSPA, Dr. Albina Aniuliene(centre of picture), headed up teachers and animal welfarists who arrived from all over Lithuania. Dr Aniuliene has, since 1997, steered the society through its rebirth. (LiSPA was formed in 1873 making it one of the first welfare societies in the world. Sadly it was unable to function for many years and was only reactivated in 1991. However today the society is fully functional with 16 branches around the country and is now playing a meaningful role in Lithuania and Europe on a number of welfare issues.)
LiSPA and Lithuanian schoolteachers spent the year producing a 60 page Humane Education Programme for primary age schoolchildren based on RSPCA programmes. This new programme was officially presented at the opening of ‘Zoo School’ and it is anticipated that the Minister of Education will, in the near future, ceremoniously sign its official endorsement. The Humane Education Programme will shortly be printed and distributed throughout the 2000 primary schools in Lithuania. |
| Naturewatch Foundation would like to highlight and praise the sterling efforts of Ms Zita Paulauskiene, the Lispa co-ordinator of the Education Programme, for her tireless work in bringing together teachers from throughout Lithuania and for the overseeing of this very important document.
Pulling together such a unique and success World Animal Day doesn’t just miraculously happen, like virtually everything in life, its down to sheer hard work and the Foundation would like to acknowledge with grateful thanks the efforts of Ben Noreikis, Aivaras Paukste, Tomas Sileikis and Zeta who together worked for many long nights at the LiSPA Central Office to ensure a smooth and successful event. Naturewatch Foundation is also delighted to work with the recently appointed director of the Zoo, Vaclovas Dumcius who, together with his staff, is determined to make life better for the Zoo animals – we are sure he will be successful. We are grateful for the special relationship between LiSPA, Naturewatch Foundation, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy and the State Food & Veterinary Service, which has achieved great improvements in animal welfare in Lithuania. |
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