Lithuania

 Naturewatch's flagship project in Eastern Europe

Activity Report March 2010 - In spite of economic hardships, LiSPA has continued to voice its concerns regarding the welfare of all animals in Lithuania.

2009 Review - a brief overview of activities is available on the front page of our Annual Review.

Action Day for endangered Goosander in Kaunas - Tremendous media interest in the specially designed nesting boxes to be located along the Nemunas River. More...

Lithuania Update Feb 09 - These past several months since World Animal Day have been quite eventful at LiSPA and even with the financial crisis upon us, the future here for animals and their welfare seems quite positive. More...

Archive - past news stories to help illustrate our work to help the animals of Lithuania

From Cheltenham to Kaunas - a pictorial history of Naturewatch's involvement in Lithuania

Lithuania Facts – Information about Lithuania. [External link]

Naturewatch has been involved in Lithuania since 1993 - the year the Red Army finally pulled out - and we have assisted the Lithuanian Society for the Protection of Animals (LiSPA) re-establish itself as the country's leading authority on animal welfare issues.

In those bleak days following Soviet withdrawal, the society was dormant and terrible hardship was endured by the country’s animals.  At that time there were no veterinary supplies of any description, no animal protection laws and only a fledgling national animal welfare society. We were able to assist by supplying new veterinary equipment, medicines for the animals and funded staffing and running costs.  The society started working on resolving animal welfare issues. 

Our work there is led by Dr. Ben Noreikis, a Lithuanian American who had previously worked for the Humane Society and returned to the land of his parents in 1993. In the early days, Ben was our part-time representative in Lithuania but then he became full-time and was seconded to assist Lithuania’s national society commence pioneering animal welfare activities.

Lithuania has a reputation for being particularly forward-thinking in matters of animal welfare. In these pages you'll read about some of those who made this happen.

Visit the LiSPA web-site here. [Currently only in Lithuanian].