Today, on the 16th of October the second charity dog show took place in Vilnius. „The Most Dog-Friendly Deed of the Year" title went to Darius Starkevičius from Kaunas. The winner did not hide the surprise and joy. He claims that helping homeless animals has become his way of life and it will never go away.
Darius has started to take care of homeless animals by giving them a shelter at his home long time ago. Currently the man takes care of 8 dogs, 3 owls, 4 cats and 5 ferrets. „I definitely do it not because of some awards – this is my way of living. I think that homeless animal's problem wouldn't be sp big if people saw more responsibility in pet care. Animals themselves do not choose this fate - that is in the human's will. Firstly we all have to take a good care of our own pets, " – said Darius.
Despite the honorable title, at the event, held by bank BIGBANK and NGO „Lese", all the registered participants were competing at the competition of pure-bred and mixed-bred dogs that in different age and size groups were trying to win prizes of the sponsors. Finally the jury announced the best in show – fun short-haired mix-bred female dog with its owner Edvinas Kepezinskas. This year the exhibition brought together nearly 100 four-footers, and a huge "Big Match Show" tent wasn't cold from the assembled audience.
According to the patron of the event - journalist and loyal dog lover Skaiva Jasevičiūtė, who with a dachshund Marselis also participated in the competition, the most important is to foster a responsible animal raising culture. "In order to reduce the problem of homeless animals, you should not look whose fault is it, but start with ourselves. Fair examples, social initiatives and awareness raising of the problem encourages to think more serious before getting a pet . "Are you sure I'm ready for this?" – It's a question that should not raise any doubts, " – said Skaiva Jaseviciute.
The jury that evaluated the exhibitors - Austrian Ambassadors in Lithuania wife, animals lover and their well-being developer dr. Gudrun Koller and indifferent to the animal problems Gintare Gurevičiūtė with her friend Linas Karalius. The evaluation focused on animal appearance, behavior and relationship with the owner.
This year, all the profits of BIG Match Show will be donated for improving the conditions of homeless animals, cared for by "Lesė" volunteers, and installation of aviaries in shelter indoors. "We are very pleased that the "BIG Match Show" is becoming a tradition, and the show gets more and more interest. I want to thank the sponsors and volunteers, without whom the event had not been happened,"- said the director of NGO "Lese" Vesta Auškalnienė.
BIG Match Show - the largest annual charitable event in the Baltic countries, which seeks to draw attention to the homeless animal problem, find solutions and to support the shelter for such animals giving organizations. The event is held by animal charity organization PI "Lese" and bank BIGBANK. The initiative also seeks to draw attention to the responsibilities that people take together with a pet. The event will take place simultaneously in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: the sixth time in Estonia, third time in Latvia and the for the second time in Lithuania.
