Dogs in Warzone
75 x 115 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
Animal welfare is an important topic for me. I strive to help those who are not capable of defending themselves or surviving on their own. Pets exist to be petted and cared for — responsibilities that only truly responsible people can uphold. This painting was influenced by an article about dogs left behind in a war zone: they were tied to benches so they would not run after the buses as their owners fled the country.
Puppy Mills
75 x 115 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
This painting depicts the sinister side of puppy mills, where living beings are treated as a business — mere tools for profit. The concept of kennel and the practice of breeding is disturbing, especially when the reports show how animals are mistreated — kept in tight cages in their own feces, making animal breeding abusive, unethical, immoral and unnatural activity.
Dog in shelter
30 x 40 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
Dog shelters are a deeply rooted problem in Lithuania, stemming from society’s questionable perception of animals. Our constitution and political system regard animals as property, resulting in little — if any — respect for them as living beings. This perspective has led to the proliferation of shelters across Lithuania, as there are no strict rules, regulations, or inspections required to operate one. Anyone can open a shelter as easily as a shoe store, which allows irresponsible — and sometimes truly malicious — individuals to exploit animals as a means of making money by taking advantage of good-hearted people.
Dog in shelter
30 x 40 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
Shelter conditions often fail to meet even minimal hygiene standards, constantly begging for medicine, equipment, and food. These shelters rely on volunteers, which means animals are deprived of adequate attention and basic care.
Dog in shelter
30 x 40 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
Many animals that end up in shelters also spend the rest of their lives there, largely due to poor appearance and declining health caused by inadequate shelter conditions. Prolonged confinement leads many dogs to lose their ability to socialize, becoming depressed and anxious. This often results in behaviors such as excessive barking or inappropriate urination, as long-term cage confinement disrupts their natural instincts. Consequently, many are also returned repeatedly by impatient and irresponsible adopters.
Dog in shelter
30 x 40 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
Volunteers attempt to “sell” the dogs by creating appealing photographs to help them stand out among hundreds listed on shelter websites. As a result, many adopters choose based solely on appearance.
Dog in shelter
30 x 40 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
Puppies are the most sought-after by adopters, yet they are often returned after some time when owners realize they lack the time or commitment to care for them properly. As a result, many dogs are left traumatized and develop lasting mistrust toward humans as reliable caregivers.
Adopted
50 x 60 cm / Oil on canvas / 2025
I saved a senior dog from one of the most notorious shelters in Vilnius, run by a sadistic owner widely criticized for abusive and unethical practices, yet still operating due to a network within public institutions that are supposed to oversee the shelter — but do not. The shelter even discouraged adoptions in order to maintain a certain number of animals to secure donations. My dog had endured prolonged confinement in a cage, which led to severe muscle loss and the development of chronic health conditions.
