Wild Animal Ownership, shared risks
Building Better Pet Trade Regulation
Kaunas, Lithuania
Core Programme: September 24 & 25
The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, in collaboration with Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, the Lithuanian Zoological Gardens and AAP – Animal Advocacy and Protection invite governments, policymakers, academics, veterinarians and other experts from across the Baltic Sea Region for a peer-to-peer workshop about the trade and keeping of wild (‘exotic’) animals as pets.
This workshop offers participants a deep dive into the shared challenges and risks of the private keeping of wild animals as pets and will explore legislative approaches and practical tools that can support responsibly pet trade and keeping. We will prioritise interactive discussions, problem-solving, and cross-border cooperation, with the aim to support governments’ for Member State and EU-level discussions on this issue.
If you have any questions, or for further information on the event please e-mail publicpolicy@aap.eu
If you have any questions, or for further information on the event please e-mail publicpolicy@aap.eu
Agenda
Core Programme: Using the interactive agenda below you can find out more about our Core Programme, which will take place on 24–25 September, we ask participants to attend the full programme on these days”.Side Events: We recognise that travel arrangements will likely require participants to arrive in Lithuania on Wednesday 23 and depart on Saturday 26. To accommodate this, we have worked with our local partners to organise a range of additional excursions and side events for those who wish to take part. More information on these can be found below.
Side events
Wednesday 23 September
16:00 – 17:00 Tour of Lithuanian Zoological Gardens
The Lithuanian Zoological Gardens warmly welcomes delegates arriving early in Kaunas to join an informal gathering, offering an opportunity to meet fellow participants and enjoy a guided tour of the recently renovated Zoo. As a newly accredited member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the Lithuanian Zoo is committed to positioning itself as a modern, non-formal centre for natural science education. Its vision is to engage the public in exploring both global and Lithuania’s unique biodiversity, while raising awareness of the threats these ecosystems face.
The Zoo aims to foster active public participation in the creation of a more sustainable environment and to encourage meaningful involvement in biodiversity conservation initiatives.
17:00 Welcome to Kaunas: Reception
Ahead of the start of our ‘core programme’ on Thursday morning, we invite all participants to join us on a rooftop of the Lithuanian Zoological Gardens to meet others for a pre-dinner social event.
16:00 – 17:00 Tour of Lithuanian Zoological Gardens
The Lithuanian Zoological Gardens warmly welcomes delegates arriving early in Kaunas to join an informal gathering, offering an opportunity to meet fellow participants and enjoy a guided tour of the recently renovated Zoo. As a newly accredited member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the Lithuanian Zoo is committed to positioning itself as a modern, non-formal centre for natural science education. Its vision is to engage the public in exploring both global and Lithuania’s unique biodiversity, while raising awareness of the threats these ecosystems face.
The Zoo aims to foster active public participation in the creation of a more sustainable environment and to encourage meaningful involvement in biodiversity conservation initiatives.
17:00 Welcome to Kaunas: Reception
Ahead of the start of our ‘core programme’ on Thursday morning, we invite all participants to join us on a rooftop of the Lithuanian Zoological Gardens to meet others for a pre-dinner social event.
Saturday 26 September
09:00 – 13:00 Tour of LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre
Our co-hosts, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), will arrange coach transport from Hotel Kaunas to the LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre, located on the outskirts of the city. The LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre opened in 2024 and is the only wildlife rescue centre in Lithuania. The Centre takes in native and non-native wild animals throughout the country that need help, including animals kept in inappropriate conditions and those that are confiscated.
The modern complex consists of a fully equipped veterinary treatment facility, including wild animal reception and inspection areas, an operating theatre, laboratory, rehabilitation and treatment spaces, quarantine facilities, indoor and outdoor enclosures, as well as public education and staff facilities.
Following the visit, the coach will return via Hotel Kaunas, the railway station, and the airport to support onward travel.
09:00 – 13:00 Tour of LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre
Our co-hosts, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), will arrange coach transport from Hotel Kaunas to the LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre, located on the outskirts of the city. The LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre opened in 2024 and is the only wildlife rescue centre in Lithuania. The Centre takes in native and non-native wild animals throughout the country that need help, including animals kept in inappropriate conditions and those that are confiscated.
The modern complex consists of a fully equipped veterinary treatment facility, including wild animal reception and inspection areas, an operating theatre, laboratory, rehabilitation and treatment spaces, quarantine facilities, indoor and outdoor enclosures, as well as public education and staff facilities.
Following the visit, the coach will return via Hotel Kaunas, the railway station, and the airport to support onward travel.
Accommodation
Hotel Kaunas
Working with our local partners in Lithuania, we’ve secured a special delegates rate for participants of Wild Animal Ownership, Shared Risks at the Hotel Kaunas.
The Hotel is located on a pedestrianised street in the centre of town, just a pleasant 10–15 minute walk from the LSMU Emmanuel Levinas Centre (our venue for Day One of the Core Programme) and less than 20 mins via public transport to the Lithuanian Zoological Gardens, for Day Two.
Address: Laisves av. 79, LT-44297 Kaunas, Lithuania
Venues
Thursday 24 September
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Emmanuel Levinas Centre
Address: V. Putvinskio gatvė 14, Kaunas 44212, Lithuania
Friday 25 September, Wednesday 23 September
Lithuanian Zoological Gardens
Address: Biudžetinė įstaiga, Radvilėnų pl. 21, 50299 Kaunas
Saturday 26 September
LSMU Wildlife Rescue Centre
Address: Jurginų g. 6, Naujieji Muniškiai, Kauno raj.