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About the shelter

Founded in 2008, SOS Gyvūnai is one of the oldest and most trusted animal rescue organisations in Lithuania, dedicated to saving homeless and mistreated animals. The shelter was founded by animal welfare activist Ilona Reklaitytė-Mezenceva after she saw a photo of a dog facing euthanasia. Inspired to take action, she and her friends started rescuing animals, initially sheltering them in her own apartment. As the number of rescued pets quickly grew, so did the need for a dedicated shelter.

 With support from individual donors and tax allocations, the organisation opened its first shelter in a mobile home. By 2010, SOS Gyvūnai had acquired land and began building a permanent animal shelter in Vilnius. This marked a turning point in the organisation's development, establishing its presence as a leading non-profit animal shelter in Lithuania. Ilona was the heart and soul of the organisation for over a decade, personally involved in every aspect, from rescue missions to cleaning enclosures. After her passing in 2021, the shelter’s mission has continued under the direction of Nadezda Makusheva and a strong team of dedicated colleagues and volunteers.

 Today, SOS Gyvūnai provides daily care for over 150 animals, primarily dogs and cats, offering full medical treatment, rehabilitation, and adoption support. The shelter follows a strict no-kill policy: no healthy or treatable animal is euthanized simply due to lack of space or extended shelter time. This ethical commitment has earned the organization deep public trust and respect.

 The shelter’s work spans far beyond basic care. Their core activities include emergency animal rescue, veterinary treatment, behavioral rehabilitation, education campaigns, and volunteer engagement. The team also focuses on humane animal population control through sterilization programs, helping reduce the number of strays in a sustainable and ethical way.

 In 2023–2024, SOS Gyvūnai began building a new, state-of-the-art shelter complex in Keidžiai, just 25 minutes from Vilnius. Set on 5 hectares of land, the new facility will feature spacious enclosures, separate areas for sick or recovering animals, and socialization zones where animals can interact with volunteers and potential adopters. The opening is expected in 2025 and will mark a major leap in capacity and care quality for the organization.

 Importantly, SOS Gyvūnai operates without regular government funding. The shelter is supported through private donations, 1.2% income tax contributions from Lithuanian citizens, and competitive grant projects. All financial and operational activities are transparently reported, reinforcing the organization’s strong reputation for accountability and ethical practice.

 As an accredited NGO, SOS Gyvūnai also works closely with Lithuanian state institutions on animal welfare legislation and is part of the national network of animal protection organizations. Its model is built on community involvement, volunteer spirit, and the belief that every life matters. For anyone looking to adopt a pet in Lithuania, support a no-kill animal shelter, or contribute to a cause that makes a real impact, SOS Gyvūnai represents hope, dedication, and long-term change.