Who's Who at ACRES

ACRES Full-Time Staff

Louis Ng

Executive Director

I started on the road to becoming an advocate for animals at a very young age, when I would spend my time volunteering at the SPCA. Soon my attention turned towards other animals too, and when I watched a programme about the slaughter of turtles for turtle soup, I realised that, as someone who ate turtle soup, I was part of the problem and causing them to be killed. I stopped eating turtle soup and over the next years eliminated all animals from my diet.

After seeing the film Gorillas in the Mist aged about 14, I became fascinated with primates and decided I wanted to spend my life saving them, which led me to pursuing a degree in Biology and a Masters in Primate Conservation.

The real turning point for me though was when, aged about 21 years old, I fell in love with a young chimpanzee called Ramba, who lived a terrible life as a photography chimp. When our campaign to see her reunited with her mother succeeded I felt as though I had won a million dollars, and decided to dedicate the rest of my life to making a difference for suffering animals like Ramba, and I founded ACRES with a group of friends.

Today I am lucky to be working with a passionate team at ACRES who share my dream of a better world for animals, and am so grateful for all of our supporters who make our work possible.

In 2007, Louis was presented with The Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore award. In 2002, Louis received the HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) / NYAA (National Youth Achievement Award) Youth Environmental Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of environmental protection and nature conservation in Singapore.

Amy Corrigan

Director of Education, Director of Cruelty-Free Living Campaigns, Zoo Animal Welfare Officer

When I picked up my first brochures on factory farming and experimentation on animals aged about ten, I knew I had to do something- anything- to stop these terrible things happening. I turned vegetarian, volunteered with animal welfare groups and held my own mini-campaigns at school. I studied Zoology at Sheffield University, specialising in animal behaviour, which gave me the knowledge I now use for conducting behavioural studies of zoo animals. I was also an active member of the animal protection society.

Before joining ACRES in 2005 I managed a wildlife rescue centre in Thailand, overseeing the care of bears, primates, elephants and many other wild animals.

As Director of Education, I’m responsible for developing, overseeing and implementing our educational programmes and materials. As Director of Cruelty-Free Living Campaigns I work on promoting cruelty-free lifestyles. I’m also very involved in our zoo animal work, and have written scientific reports on zoo animal welfare and conducted zoo survey training. I also work on various ACRES campaigns.

My passions are promoting an animal-friendly lifestyle, instilling compassion for animals in others and speaking up for farm animals, laboratory animals and zoo animals, who are often overlooked. I have a soft spot for bears, gibbons, whales, horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, cows, ducks and chickens!

Charlene Tan

Director of Community Outreach, Rescue Officer

Walking home one day, many years ago, I saw a snail on the road. Great way to meet a vehicle tyre right? That's what I thought! So I moved the little one to the side of the road and carried on walking, feeling proud of myself. Yet when I reached home, life's routine fell in place and ordinary comfort zones made me feel silly about my "rescue". I no longer feel silly about this though.

As Director of Community Outreach, I provide opportunities for individuals to stand out and make things right - to make a difference. I engage the community in making a difference and enjoying a fulfilling experience. In short, my job is to break the typical concept of "let someone else do it", or "if I don't see it, it doesn't matter".

My love for animals and design gives me the perfect fit to speak up for animals. With a BA (Hons) from NAFA, I use my skills to create new ideas to engage volunteers to make a difference for animals. In my field of work, I often meet new people and, in turn, I can better reach out to others to play a more active role as advocates for animals.

Anbarasi Boopal (Anbu)

Director ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC), Director ACRES Wildlife Crime Unit

For strange reasons, I have to thank the plain-pouched hornbill and an Indian star tortoise- when I first came to Singapore in 2005 - for bringing me to ACRES! I was shocked to see them being so openly kept as illegal pets in Singapore. With a strong passion to make a difference for animals since very young, I also have the hope for change and a better world for the animals and everyone.

I have a Masters in Life Sciences from India and a Masters in Environmental Management from NUS, and I worked for wildlife protection for two years in India.

I joined ACRES without hesitation. The ACRES team and everyday work at ACRES for the animals mean a lot to me.

I live 24/7 in at the AWRC with two lovely rescued mongrels. Coming across several animals urgently needing help, our wildlife rescue team works 24/7 to provide the best care for the animals, and respond to the wildlife crime tip-offs. In the end, nothing beats the sight of an animal recovering or being set free after all that they have been through.

Hafizzan Shah (Zan)

Animal Care Officer

I have always been passionate about and amazed by animals and now am actively involved in speaking up for them and their right to have their needs considered. “The love for all living creature is the noblest attribute of man” – Charles Darwin. That quote changed my life.

My role is providing the rescued animals at the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre with the best possible care. I am also involved with rescues, and at times I help raise awareness among members on animal protection issues and cruelty-free lifestyle choices.

I joined ACRES after completion of my pre-degree programmes in Biomedical Science. Coming from a science background, I took a major interest in Genetics and Bioinformatics, subjects that are highly involved in research relating to animal evolution. My work at ACRES gives me an opportunity to expand myself on these subjects by getting to be with the animals and analyzing their behaviour first-hand, allowing me to learn more about their needs and understanding them better.

Marinna Masjudi

Assistant Director, Community Outreach

I still remember how my brother and I would go around our neighbourhood area to feed the stray cats. We took pictures of the different stray cats that we fed and even took time to play with them. Those were the days… The cats would always put a smile on our faces and warm our hearts.

I have been volunteering for different non-profit organisations since the early start of my working life, in year 1999. However, it was not until 2008 that I became much more involved in not only supporting and participating in various events for the different causes, but I also had the opportunity to plan and execute a couple of events as well.

My work experience of over 16 years in events management, logistics and operations includes volunteer management, planning and organising. My love for animals has brought me to join ACRES and I am thankful that ACRES has given me this great opportunity to be a part of the team. What better way to not just be a “voice”, but to be part of a team to speak up for the animals!

James Chua

Wildlife Rescue Officer

Since young, I have always been intrigued by animals and their unique differences between species but, somehow, they beautifully co-exist with each other in the various environments. Learning more about animal liberation and animal rights as I grow up, I strongly feel that people have much to learn about cohesion from the animals, as well as about treating our fellow sentient beings with respect and love.

Many people have various misconceptions about wild animals in Singapore. My role as a Wildlife Rescue Officer is challenging and fulfilling as it gives me an opportunity to help animals and educate the public at the same time. The experience of rescuing, rehabilitating to releasing an animal back to the wild, no matter how difficult it is, is irreplaceable; and that is what I enjoy most.

Tan Hwee Mien

Assistant Director of Veterinary Care

I remember I was sitting on the beach in the middle of the night when a mother turtle landed from the waves and crawled onto the beach with much effort, just to lay her eggs. I feel the greatness of mother nature when I know that the turtles swim across millions of fishing hooks, persisting through the threats they may encounter along the long journey, just to return to their place of birth for nesting. However, their young ones might not even have a chance to see this beautiful world because some of the turtle eggs are collected for human consumption. My heart sank when I was told that probably only one of a thousand turtle hatchlings can survive to reach maturity.

I seek to make a difference for animals and look forward a future in which wildlife is as rich and healthy as it once was.

Denise McIntyre

Communications Officer

It started one day when I came across the film Earthlings online. I've always loved animals, but that film shed light on how animals are treated in so many inhumane ways. What affected me most were the methods of factory farming, and since then I have spent a lot of time researching about the farms and the sources of meat that come into Singapore. It was through my searches that I came across ACRES.

The more I learnt about what ACRES does and what they strive to do, the more I was drawn towards being part of what they do. So when they advertised that they were searching for a Communications Officer, I jumped for it.

In my job I help with campaigns and events, and I love how I know that what I'm doing at ACRES is helping the animals, and it pushes me to want to work harder so as to better their lives.

Kalai Vanan S/O Balakrishnan

Wildlife Rescue Officer

Since I was a young child, I have always had the pleasure of being surrounded by animals. My family used to adopt the stray cats around my area. I can even recount how once my dad got to witness a pregnant cat hold her ground and fend off a pack of rebellious stray dogs, showcasing her determination to survive. I remember once watching the Japanese movie 'Hachiko' whilst tears flowed from my eyes. That movie taught me about the loyalty that an animal can express that no man can equal. I remember clinging tightly to my chair while being fascinated and intrigued by the splendour that the natural world had to offer while watching Jurassic park. All these memories and experiences have instilled a deeply rooted love and respect for all animals in me, whether it’s an adorable little puppy, a 10ft long python or a curious little ant, for I believe in loving an animal not only because it’s cute, but because it has feelings, a soul and a reason to live, just like our very own loved ones.

Though I graduated from Lasalle College of the Arts with a design background, I always had this urge, this calling that my true life-long aspiration was to make a difference for animals. ACRES offers me that opportunity to make that difference, and it was an offer I simply couldn’t resist. I hope to use my design/problem solving skills to tackle animal welfare issues and bridge the gaps between man and the natural world.

Vilas Asokan

Education Officer

It all began when I brought my pet rats for a show-and-tell session with my class (I was a teacher), five years ago. At first, the pupils were appalled, as most people associate rats with sewers and diseases. I explained to them the many wonderful things about pet rats and, by the end of the session, I could tell that their perspective on rats would never be the same again!

I also educated pupils on issues such as whaling and poaching, and whenever they reacted so emphatically against the cruelty of animals, it made me so unexplainably satisfied; like I had made a difference.

So, after a five-year teaching stint as a primary school teacher, I decided to amalgamate my passion with what I had been trained to do: Educating the public on caring for animals. I couldn’t be happier with working at ACRES and it finally feels like I’m right where I was meant to be.

Chan Xiu Li

Wildlife Rescue Officer

A few years have passed, and I still wish to live on Ubin for good. This place nurtured my love for wildlife. Ever since my first step off the bumboat onto this island, I swear I've never felt more welcome anywhere else; perhaps it's the freedom and exhilaration that I am constantly denied on the mainland. Voluntary guiding at Chek Jawa Wetlands has enabled me to appreciate the beauty of all six ecosystems bursting with life; much more meaningful than human traffic. I seek solace from the deafening silence shrouding its magnitude of vastness. Without the wilderness and what that lies beneath, an integral part of me will definitely vanish along with it.

I joined ACRES as a wildlife rescue officer for the exact reason the title suggests. Wild animals deserve to live in the wild and yes, I'm wild about saving wild animals, no matter how small or delicate they may be, especially in our increasingly dense urban environment.

Christina Lee

Campaigns Officer

I have a vivid recollection of two ill-fated cats being dragged out of a cage, forcefully bashed onto the ground, scalded alive and, before I could come to my senses, they were served up on a dinner plate. The squeals and screams of the cats that were pleading for their lives to be spared haunt me till this day. To say the cats have endured excruciating pain before their last breaths is still an understatement.

That traumatising incident was a wake-up call to me that animals we keep as pets should never be served as delicacies in restaurants. Unfortunately, some parts of the world still kill cats and dogs for food. I often wonder if the person killing these animals has a heart of stone, or if he has a heart at all.

I want to make it my mission to do everything I can to speak up for animals that are being mistreated. Their existence not only brings balance to the ecosystem, but also invaluable companionship to humans. As Campaigns Officer for ACRES, I can’t wait to embark on a journey that will enable me to champion my cause and contribute to the welfare of animals.

Judie Chang

Education Officer

From a very young age, as early as I can remember, I have been bringing home strays and baby birds to look after. My dad saw the passion in me, and would bring home the stray puppies and kittens to be nursed by me, and I soon learned how to care for them. Through this upbringing, I have the mentality that I can do something to save the animals in Singapore. I started adopting dogs who are abused, traumatised or ex-stud dogs. The numbers started growing and eventually my hands were tied.

However, that did not stop me. I started exploring animal welfare, wondering how I could contribute. Incidentally, a close friend who knows my passion introduced me to ACRES. Since then, I have been following ACRES and their campaigns via the ACRES website and Facebook. I came to know about Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand through my friend when she knew I was heading to Thailand for a holiday. Going to Wildlife Friends made me realise and re-emphasise the fact that I could wait no longer to be the voice for the animals! I came back, quit my job and started looking for openings to work for this cause. And like the saying goes, the rest is history.

---

ACRES Executive Committee

Jagdish Ramakrishnan

President

Juggi Ramakrishnan, is one of the founding members of ACRES. He is an advertising creative by profession, currently with Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific as Deputy Regional Executive Creative Director. He has been consistently ranked in the top 10 of Asia’s creative advertising professionals by Campaign Brief Asia and his advertising work has picked up more than 250 awards around the world, including Golds Lions from Cannes, Gold statues from Clios and Yellow pencils from D&AD. Juggi is an amateur naturalist and an ethical vegan. His interests also include running, hiking, history, travel, wine, and reading.

Cyril Ng

Vice-President

For the past 18 years I've been a full-time professional freelance photographer and have always had an interest in animals and nature in general thanks to wonderful people like Jane Goodall, Diane Fossey and David Attenborough.

Having been an 'armchair naturalist' for too long, I decided to get off my behind and actually get out into the wide wild open spaces and joined the Nature Society, Singapore through which I came to know about ACRES and the great work it does. Realising that I had to do more than just appreciate the wonders of Nature as a passive observer, I joined ACRES as a volunteer in 2005.

Animals were on this Earth before us and they have as much right as we do to co-exist on this planet. I believe that they are not meant to serve or entertain us but to enrich and educate us on the tenacity, adaptability and diversity of Life. As such, they deserve to be treated humanely, for if we cannot even treat animals kindly, how are we to treat our fellow humans likewise?

Daryl Epimaco

Treasurer

I have always been fascinated by wildlife from watching documentaries and reading about wild animals, but I have never been too good with seeing them up close. Fear and not knowing how to react for one thing resulted in this. I was afraid of stray cats, although I was curious about them. All that changed when I met my girlfriend who was a major animal lover, and she helped me to understand animals better. Well, her pet cats helped as well. She got me to see animals as how we would see anyone else and I got over my fear. In fact she was the one that introduced me to ACRES, thinking that my experience in events would be able to benefit them. Several years down the road and many gala dinners later, I have now upped my level of participation by also doing wildlife rescues on a weekly basis and helping others also get pass their fear of animals that they may not know much about.

Andrew Tay

Secretary

I am a self-employed nature education consultant, and have been in this field of work since 1994, when I worked as executive and education officer for the Nature Society (Singapore) for about twelve years. Before that I did graphics and fashion, though have been obsessed about Nature since a kid.

My interests in Nature have now broadened to permaculture and other forms of ecologically sustainable food gardening.

My main focus is always to encourage people to love our only home Planet Earth and its incredible diversity of life forms.

Loo Hwei Kwin

Committee Member

Growing up, I always loved animals. Fondly remembered are times when, as a primary school kid, I would smuggle milk and bread out of the house to feed a stray kitten I had found in a nearby drain. Not surprisingly though, the poor kitten didn’t enjoy her meals at all. Being young and ignorant then, I couldn’t understand why-that it was the wrong food.

That is why today, I strongly believe that education is a really powerful tool in inculcating love, respect and compassion for our fellow animals. After joining ACRES in 2005 as a volunteer, I have never looked back. Since then, I have helped out in events like roadshows, ACRES' social events and even participated in some exciting undercover investigations!

Having served as the Treasurer for ACRES' committee since 2007 and being the current Secretary, my greatest wish is that everyone will come to give our fellow planet inhabitants the due respect these wonderful beings deserve!

Cohen Ng

Committee Member

It was in 2001 during a Cat Welfare Society TNR cat trapping night at Holland Drive that Sandy, a co-founder of ACRES, approached me for assistance to help transport and set-up for ACRES roadshows. Since then I have been actively involved with ACRES, and in 2006 I was invited to join the Committee.

I am the Director of Mutts & Mittens, a shelter for dogs and cats, established since 1995 to be one of the VOICES for animals and advocate for their rights, as well as to encourage our human kind to appreciate and understand our fellow sentient beings.