VSI "Lese"

Founded in 2007, “Lesė” is an animal charity in Lithuania providing animal shelter and funding pet neutering programs for homeless cats and dogs. The organisation is funded by donations and is run by unpaid volunteers only. Back in 2007, the organisation was one of the first “no-kill” animal shelters in Lithuania, when animal care in Lithuania was almost non-existent and State-funded shelters were euthanizing up to 90% of animals without any hope for adoption. The organisation was founded by volunteers animal lovers, who started to shelter homeless animals at their homes and advertise them for adoption. In 2008, “Lesė” opened a proper animal shelter and since then has adopted over 4 500 animals. The organisations is also well-known for its neutering programs, because it was the pioneer and leader of “Trap-Neuter-Release” program for stray cats as well as funding subsidies for pet neutering for low-income groups in Vilnius city. Since the establishment, the organisation has funded neutering for over 2,500 animals, which probably saved lives for another 25 000 unwelcome cubs per year. What We Do: • Rescue, sheltering and rehoming of animals. • Organising and funding of animal neutering programs including Trap-Neuter-Release for stray cats. • Society education through charity events and lectures for children and youth. • Providing information about homeless animals in all animal shelters in Lithuania through our portal Animalcare.lt. Our goals are: • Reducing the number of unwanted pet animals in a humane way; • Finding new homes for homeless animals; • Promoting the society awareness and stopping cruelty against animals; • Establishing an animal shelter meeting EU standards and creating an effective animal rescue system. The “Lese” team in Vilnius is made up of 80 active members. They provide a sincere care for abandoned animals at the shelter. Also, members do give a temporary home for every animal in need. Not to mention the planning and organising works for the ongoing programmes devoted for animal saving, treating and neutering such as “Catch-Neuter-Release”. Currently, major repairs are being made at the new shelter-to-be in Buivydiskes. All the members put a huge effort and countless hours of work to make the future ‘home’ ready and welcoming.