Here’s what some of our amazing volunteers have to say about volunteering with ACRES!
If you would like to share your own thoughts on volunteering with ACRES, please send your testimonial to info@acres.org.sg
Local Volunteers:
Melvin Low, animal care and roadshow volunteer:
“I found out about ACRES in 2007 after an excursion led by Nisshin Tuition Centre. Back then, I knew that if I were to want to pursue my ambition of being able to work around animals, this would definitely be one of the first few places I would go to. Four years later, here I am, volunteering as a Wildlife Guardian and also helping out in their road shows. As such, I feel that I had just received the best of both worlds, namely being able to work with animals and also being able to talk about them. ACRES has not only brought me a step closer to my ambition, it has also enabled me to meet people from all walks of life, from Ministers to even emcees. While volunteering may sometimes be really taxing, the looks on the faces of the animals and the encouragement from the staff says it all- it’s always worth it.”
Joo Kim, Humane education volunteer:
“Helping out with the skit for the HEAL programme was fun! It’s affirming to be around other volunteers who are committed and passionate about ACRES’ cause. I look forward to more volunteer opportunities and experiences as I support and respect ACRES for the dedicated work they’re doing for wildlife and animals.”
Jnanee Krishnasamy, Humane education and roadshow volunteer:
“I decided to volunteer with ACRES as I believed with all my heart that animals need love and caring just as much as us humans – except that they don’t get enough of it. Participating in the Education Team was an invaluable experience for me – I was united with people from all walks of life to express our common love for animals. This shows that differences amongst living beings can be transcended by love!”
Regina Ong, Humane education volunteer:
“ACRES stands for a meaningful cause and I am happy to be able to contribute in tiny ways. It’s been great fun to know you guys, amazing people who are so passionate about the work you do! Through the interactive HEAL skits reaching out to the young, my own awareness on wildlife protection has also been raised.”
Cassandra Tan, Humane Education volunteer:
“Volunteering with ACRES has been a really fun and enriching experience. It serves as a constant reminder for me to do more for the animals who do not have the voice and ability to speak for themselves. Each time I volunteer, it really makes me feel good that at least one more person has learnt about the sufferings of these animals.”
International Volunteers:
Shirley Kot, Hong Kong:
“To me, spending a month as a full-time volunteer for ACRES was an inspiring experience, as that was also my first time to start eating vegetarian meals in my life. I may have not done something big during that period but the memories that I got from there, after meeting those passionate people and knowing the efforts that they put in to achieving their goal, were definitely worth my summer.
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunities to volunteer in different animal welfare organisations in the past 5 years, yet I have never been that greeted and welcomed before. The staffs in ACRES are gorgeous; they treat volunteers as their real friends, with respect and thankful hearts.
Instead of being treated as free labour, I felt like being a part of the family and making real contributions! Frankly at the very beginning I was surprised when knowing that there were less than 10 staffs working in the centre, as there seemed to have much work to do! Yet all ACRES staffs are so enthusiastic in making a difference for our animal friends; they take up their responsibilities and work as a team.”
Flick, Australia:
“I was really impressed to find out that everyone at ACRES is vegetarian. It seems obvious now, but I know there are a lot of animal welfare organisations that mainly concentrate on cats and dogs, and at night their staff will go home and eat other animals. From what I’ve witnessed, everyone at ACRES is extremely passionate and committed to what they do. Sometimes it seems as if they are completely dedicating their lives to animals- it’s amazing.
I was especially impressed when I went to help look for animals at the site of the oil spill and realised that the phrase “all creatures great and small” applied to the ACRES philosophy: so much care was taken to save the lives of crabs and worms!- animals that would otherwise be overlooked in such a situation as they’re not charismatic mega fauna.”
Yulanji, Australia:
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been included openly in what ACRES does -particularly in the aspects of animal care. I can only speak for myself, but I look forward to coming back in the future. I hope with all my heart that the main sanctuary comes good at minimal emotional and financial cost, and the sooner the better. Thanks ACRES!”