A passion for wild animals helped one Singapore expat find the perfect volunteer job.
Name: Laurie Day
Nationality: American
Volunteers at: ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society)
What’s the organisation’s mission?
To create a caring and socially responsible society where animals are treated as sentient beings.
What do you do there?
As a Rescue Volunteer, I answer and respond to calls coming in to the two hour Wildlife Rescue Hotline. Along with a partner, I travel to cases all around Singapore helping native wildlife that is injured, orphaned or displaced. A typical shift can find us removing a snake from someone’s kitchen, creating a makeshift nest for baby birds, using cooking oil to unstick an animal accidentally caught in a glue trap, relocating a pangolin that wandered from its forest home, or rescuing a wild boar hit by a car.
Another crucial responsibility is educating the public to minimise human wildlife conflict. I help people learn how to coexist with wild animals in their own neighbourhoods.
Why did you choose ACRES to donate your time to?
From my earliest memories, I’ve been fascinated by animals – particularly wild animals. I chose ACRES because it seemed a good way to give back to the community while doing something I am passionate about.
What do you get out of volunteering there?
Singapore has an impressive variety of native wildlife living in an ever more urban environment. It’s both exciting and rewarding to be actively involved with the efforts to save and protect the wonderful creatures that also call this island home. Volunteering at ACRES is, by far, the best job I’ve ever had. I look forward to every shift. At the end of the day, I come home sweaty, tired and sometimes dirty, but always with a big smile and an enormous feeling of satisfaction.
Want to get involved? ACRES needs volunteers in a wide variety of areas. For more info, check out acres.org.sg
For more helpful tips, head to our Living in Singapore section:
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This article first appeared in the June 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
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