Photographing a Cat Shelter Fundraiser in Lithuania

Over the weekend, I stopped by a small but meaningful event that I decided to photograph — a flea market-style fundraiser held inside a local cat shelter. The idea behind it was simple: volunteers and kind-hearted visitors brought in various items — from books and clothes to handmade goods — and everything was sold for 1 to 3 euros. A few items were priced higher, but the goal was clearly not profit — it was about support, survival, and love for the cats.

The shelter relies heavily on donations and fundraising events like this to keep going, and it was touching to see the community step up. People browsed through boxes of treasures, chatting quietly, sipping coffee, and giving what they could. Every euro mattered. The entire event had this cozy, caring vibe — the kind where you feel instantly connected to everyone, even if you’ve never met them before.

What made it even more special was that some of the cats were free to roam around during the event. People gently petted them, and a few visitors even had cats curled up on their laps while they browsed. Most of the cats were curious but shy — understandably — though one bold feline was clearly enjoying all the attention, hopping from chair to chair, soaking up the love. It was so nice just to be surrounded by cats and people who cared deeply about them.

I even ended up buying a book myself — it felt like the right way to contribute a little and also leave with something meaningful. Plus, I got to cuddle a cat for a while, so really, what more could I ask for?

From a photography perspective, this event was interesting. It was indoors, with artificial lighting throughout, which gave the photos a bit of a warm hue. I shot using a silent shutter so I wouldn’t disturb the cats or the guests — but as some of you might know, that can come with its own issues. I ended up with a few photos that had shutter banding (those strange lines across the image), probably due to flickering from the lights. I still haven’t fully figured out the “safe” shutter speeds to avoid this while in silent mode, since I changed the shutter settings a few times throughout the shoot. If anyone has tips on this, I’m all ears!

Despite that small technical hiccup, I’m happy with how the images turned out. They capture the warmth and simplicity of the day — the kind of event that reminds you why you fell in love with photography in the first place. Not for big stages or perfect lighting, but for moments like these: community, kindness, and cats.

Photos from the event are below — I’d love to hear your thoughts!