Animal Control Ordinances
The two largest municipalities of Vilnius and Kaunas approached LiSPA for assistance in improving their animal control ordinances. To date, such ordinances have been ammended without consulting animal welfare organisations which has led to many problems. City councils have enacted ordinances which discriminated against dog and cat owners, often requiring them to abide by ridiculously strict and ineffective regulations which proved even more difficult to enforce. The tides are now turning, most likely because the cities finally realised that their requirements are not solving pet overpopulation, stray, and responsible pet ownership issues. Quite often, such changes in the local ordinances were nothing more than intentions to provide a 'quick fix' to various problems. From now on, such issues are being addressed with input from various institutions such as the State Food and Veterinary Service, health departments, veterinary associations, police, kennel & cat clubs and animal welfare organisations. The City of Kaunas has even founded an Animal Care and Control Advisory Board which provides recommendations to the City Council prior to any changes in the Animal Control Ordinace. LiSPA is participating in these new and welcomed initiatives.
Action Day for endangerd Goosander - 10th March 2009
Though uncommon, the bird species is called the Common Merganser - a colorful diving waterbird that most people would mistake for a type of duck! The city of Kaunas has the largest population in Lithuania with 20 pairs living along the Nemunas River. The Goosander nests in old hollow trees which are increasingly hard to find making it very difficult for the female to find suitable nesting locations for its young. The females were found trying to nest in town locations with all the inherent dangers of prey and motor traffic. Ornithologist and veterinarian Dr Julius Morkunas raised this matter with LiSPA President, Dr Ben Noreikis, and a project was announced to build and locate special nesting boxes along the Nemunas River in time for the breeding season. Tremendous local interest quickly expanded nationally with TV and news media eagerly awaiting the day when the specially designed nest boxes would be erected in carefully selected locations along the beautiful river Nemunas. The boxes, designed by Dr Morkunas, are very heavy due to their size and not easy to erect, but with many volunteers assisting throughout the project this obstacle was easily overcome. Now the Goosander females will have safe nests for their offspring. Dog Registration System
LiSPA's prime objective is to establish a dog registration system which will incorporate the use of tags. Such a simple and low-cost registration scheme would require that every dog be examined by a veterinarian annually, leading not only to mandatory rabies vaccination, but would also ease police enforcement of animal control ordinances as well as providing many other benefits for pets, their owners and generating revenue for municipalities. Collected registration fees would fund the collection and sheltering of strays and homeless pets in the community. An identification tag on a pet's collar can be construed as his ticket home in the unfortunate event that he somehow becomes lost. More about this issue in overview of activities in 2010.
Don't feed the swans!
During this winter season, the topic of global warming is rarely talked about as our temperatures have dipped down as low as -20 C. Such weather makes life difficult for our wildlife, especially for swans. Due to people feeding them, many of these royal birds decide not to migrate to warmer climates as they've become accustomed to handouts. As our lakes and rivers are now ice-covered, these birds have lost access to water. Many juvenile birds that have become semi-tame and did not follow their parents to warmer waters have found themselves stranded in the icy cold. Via the news media, during the entire autumn season LiSPA has actively educated the general public about the ill effects caused to swans by feeding them prior to the migration period. We therefore hope that the numbers of swans needing winter rescue will consistently diminish over the years. As you can see from the image, it's not just swans that suffer!
Wolves - Ministry of Environment increases hunting quota
LiSPA has also voiced its objection to the Ministry of Environment's decision to increase the hunting quota of wolves this year from 20 to 30. Wolves are the most sought after hunter's trophy in Lithuania. Naturewatch Foundation and LiSPA are members of the United Non-governmental Wolf Protection Council in Lithuania which believes that the local wolf population is endangered and therefore requires more protection, not increased hunting. The Council also believes that the hunting lobby and Ministry use outdated and inaccurate methods in determining population statistics which is leading to the demise of this species. The hunting lobby is very strong in Lithuania and our battles with them will undoubtedly continue.
 LiSPA addresses Parliamentary (Seimas) Committe on Legal Affairs regarding Animal Protection legislation in LithuaniaThe Lithuanian Society for the Protection of Animals, together with twelve other animal care and welfare organizations, called on the Legal Committee members to amend the Criminal Code, Article 310, to increase the level of severity of cases of animal cruelty from mild to moderate crime and to increase the penalty from one to four years of imprisonment.
Golden Heart Awards Animal welfare was extremely well highlighted during Christmas in Lithuania. Naturewatch's Director John Ruane was nominated for the prestigious Golden Heart Awards in Lithuania. The  awards are given to those that have dedicated their efforts towards helping others. These awards were very highly publicised, the general public were invited to cast their votes for nominees weeks in advance, and the ceremony was nationally televised on Christmas Eve. Of all the nominees, a total of 24 became finalists (in 8 different categories) and John was voted to be amongst them! As all of the nominees were 'people helping people', it was very heartwarming to learn that John received as many votes as he did for helping - animals. What was even more thrilling was that the category that John was in (helping others abroad) was the most popular and selected to be the first category to be awarded during the ceremony. John was the second nominee of 24 to be highlighted! Of course John couldn't have won first place in a ceremony that awards people for helping people, but coming in second sure does show active support for animal welfare. All of us here in Lithuania are very proud of John and his many achievements. Bravo!
Ben Noreikis, Chairman, LiSPA |