Volunteers › Volunteer FAQs
“Volunteers are not paid not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.”
— Sherry Anderson

FAQs Volunteering

How do I become an ACRES volunteer?

You can register as a volunteer by filling in the ACRES Volunteer Application Form and sending it back to us. We will then get in touch with you with more details to start you on your rewarding volunteering journey making a difference for animals!

If you would like to volunteer for the Wildlife Rescue Team please fill in the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Team Application Form and send it back to us.

How old do I have to be to volunteer with ACRES?

We do have a minimium age limit of 14 years old as some of the work done may include cutting and carrying stuff. This may be hazardous to younger volunteers.

To participate in the Wildlife Guardians Programme you must be at least 16 years old and to volunteer for the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Team you need to be at least 21 years old.

Do I need to be an ACRES Member to volunteer?

We do invite all volunteers to become ACRES Members and join the growing animal welfare movement here in Singapore. However, you do not need to be an ACRES Member to volunteer with us.

The only exception is if you wish to join the Wildlife Guardians volunteer programme, for which you are required to be an ACRES Member before participating.

What kinds of things can I help with?

You can help with a wide range of tasks, from helping to raise public awareness on animal protection at our roadshows, to assisting with fundraising at various events, to getting hands-on with gardening and animal care duties at the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC), and there are many other ways to get involved. A detailed list of volunteer positions available can be found here and on the ACRES Volunteer Application Form. When you fill in the Application Form you can indicate which areas you would like to help with.

Will you provide training?

Our staff will tell you everything you need to know before you begin your volunteer activity.

For the Wildlife Guardians Programme, you will need to attend a special training course spread over a period of four weekends and will need to attend every training session. For volunteering with the Wildlife Rescue Team, you will need to attend a full day of training. For volunteering with the education work you will also need to attend specific training sessions. We will send you more details by email.

Can I help with more than one area of work?

Yes, you can sign up to help with as many different volunteer jobs as you like, or choose to focus on one area.

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Can I get CIP points for volunteering with ACRES?

Yes, you can, as long as it is a volunteer task that can be monitored by ACRES staff for the duration, for example helping at the AWRC or assisting with a roadshow. Please print out and complete the ACRES CIP Form and bring this or your school CIP card along with you for your volunteering session/s. Remember to print on recycled paper!

My whole class would like to volunteer with ACRES - is this possible?

Yes, this is possible. Please contact us at volunteer@acres.org.sg for more details.

Can I help with looking after the rescued animals at the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre?

If you are over 16 years old, you can assist with looking after the rescued animals through the Wildlife Guardians Programme. For this you will need to undergo a period of training and also be fully vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B and tetanus.

For more details about the Wildlife Guardians Programme please contact volunteer@acres.org.sg or indicate on your ACRES Volunteer Application Form that you are interested in the Wildlife Guardians Programme.

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Do I have to commit to volunteering on a regular basis? How much time do I need to give?

You can volunteer with ACRES on a regular basis, or just once in a while whenever you are free to help. You can volunteer for just an hour or so, or for longer periods, depending on how much time you have available. Generally, there is no minimum commitment required.

However, in certain instances, for example when helping at special events, you may be required for the duration of the event, and if you are helping with animal care as part of the Wildlife Guardian programme you will need to commit for a certain length of time for each volunteering session.

Volunteers with the Wildlife Rescue Team are required to commit to volunteering at least twice a month, including night shifts (6pm to 7am the next morning). You will need to commit to five/six- hour day shifts, from 7am to 12 noon or from 12 noon to 6pm.

How will I know if there are upcoming events, such as roadshows, for which you need volunteers?

These will be advertised on the Volunteer Calendar page. We also send out calls for volunteers by email, so you will receive emails notifying you of upcoming volunteer opportunities for the areas you have expressed interest in.

You can also check out our ACRES Volunteer Community page on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on volunteer opportunities. Here you can also get to know other ACRES volunteers and share your volunteer experiences!

When / at what times can I volunteer?

On weekdays, volunteering hours are usually between 9am and 5pm. For weekend roadshows and events we often need volunteers throughout the day, often from 9am until around 10pm at night. During these hours you can volunteer at whatever time period suits you.

To arrange your volunteering activity, or to confirm your interest in an event for which we have sent out a call for volunteers, please contact volunteer@acres.org.sg

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Do you always need volunteers?

Yes! Volunteers are needed throughout the year.

Are there certain skills I need to be an ACRES volunteer?

Just a passion to help animals and make a difference!

I’ve got specific skills and experience- can I use them?

Yes! If you can apply your skills and experience to a particular area of ACRES work this is a great help! Please indicate on your Application Form if you feel there are any skills in particular you have that you feel will be of use.

I don’t live in Singapore. Can I still come and volunteer with ACRES?

Yes. ACRES welcomes international volunteers and can also provide on-site accommodation at the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre for a small donation.

Volunteers must arrange and pay for their own flights and visa.

For more details about volunteering as an international volunteer please contact volunteer@acres.org.sg

I have a question about volunteering. Who do I contact?

For volunteer enquiries please contact volunteer@acres.org.sg

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Number of Animals Rescued Since August 2009: 200,000 (And Counting)
© 2010 Animal Concerns Research and Education Society [ACRES]