What We Do
Our Focus Areas
At ACRES, we believe every animal deserves compassion, dignity, and a chance to live free from harm.
Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect wild animals who have been injured, exploited, or displaced. Many arrive frightened and broken—victims of illegal trade, habitat loss, or cruelty. With love and care, we help them heal.
But our work goes beyond rescue. We speak up for the voiceless, raise awareness about the hidden suffering of animals, and inspire people to make kinder choices every day. Together, we are building a future where animals are respected—not as commodities, but as sentient beings who share our planet.
By caring for them, we protect the living heart of our planet — and our shared future.
Combating Wildlife Crime
The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion-dollar global industry that pushes species toward extinction and subjects countless animals to cruelty. Wild animals are captured, trafficked across borders, and exploited as exotic pets, for experiments, or for their body parts.
In 2009, Singapore was identified as one of the world’s top ten hubs for this trade. Today, ACRES plays a key role in combating wildlife crime through investigations, enforcement support, and public education. Through sustained advocacy and collaboration with authorities and the public, we work to end the illegal wildlife trade — in Singapore and beyond.
You can help stop wildlife crime. Call our Wildlife Crime Hotline: +65 9783 7782, open daily 7:00 AM–1:00 AM
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
Every year, many animals are rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Singapore—often traumatised and in urgent need of care. In 2009, ACRES established the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC), the first of its kind in Singapore, to provide a safe space for their recovery.
Where possible, animals are repatriated to their home countries. When that isn’t feasible, the AWRC offers lifelong sanctuary in a setting that prioritises their well-being.
The AWRC also supports native wildlife, acting as a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured animals.
Since 2009, we’ve helped hundreds of animals—from monitor lizards and snakes to pangolins and civets—giving them a second chance at life.
Cruelty-Free Living
Many everyday products—ranging from cosmetics and household cleaners to food and clothing—are manufactured at the cost of immense animal suffering. Each year, animals worldwide endure painful tests in laboratories, including poisoning, blinding and other cruel procedures.
On farms, billions of animals are raised in intensive systems, forced to live in confinement and distress. And for clothing and fashion, many animals suffer from harsh, inhumane practices before their lives are taken.
Despite this, much of the cruelty goes unnoticed. At ACRES, we believe awareness is the first step toward meaningful change.
Coexistence with Singapore’s Wildlife
As Singapore rapidly urbanises, natural habitats are shrinking and becoming fragmented. While urban greenery attracts wildlife, it also leads to more frequent encounters between people and animals in our City in Nature.
Coexisting with wildlife means sharing space responsibly. It requires compassion, tolerance, and small changes in our behaviour to reduce conflict and protect biodiversity.
Coexistence with Singapore’s Wildlife
At ACRES, we promote respectful coexistence through key initiatives:
- Developer Engagements
We work with agencies like JTC (Jurong Town Corporation), HDB (Housing Development Board), URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority), and BCA (Building and Construction Authority) to provide science-based input on minimising human-wildlife conflict, protecting displaced animals, and maintaining ecological connectivity in urban planning. - Community Outreach at Wildlife Hotspots
Building on our work with developers, ACRES conducts outreach at key hotspots to educate residents and property users on wildlife etiquette. We also provide training for first responders—such as construction workers, security guards, estate managers, and outdoor educators—to ensure safe and respectful wildlife encounters. - Resource Sharing and Publications
ACRES shares filtered rescue data with academic researchers when it supports biodiversity protection in Singapore. We’ve also published a range of educational materials, including advisory videos, and an e-handbook on wildlife encounters. - Our Wild Neighbours Campaign
Since 2022, ACRES has led the “Our Wild Neighbours” nationwide campaign, supported by Mandai Nature. Featuring outreach materials on 10 key wildlife groups—including snakes, otters, macaques, pangolins, and more—the campaign reaches over 20,000 people each year to promote coexistence with local wildlife.
Humane Education
Many forms of animal abuse persist simply because people are unaware. Through our Humane Education programmes, ACRES raises awareness and empowers individuals with the knowledge to take action against animal exploitation.
Empowering Change Through Education
We engage all age groups—from young children to adults—across schools, communities, and public events. Our educational outreach is further supported by online resources, leaflets, roadshows, and guided tours at our Education Centre and outdoor sanctuary.
School and Corporate Talks are held by our Education Team in-person or at ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre. Awareness about pressing animal protection issues, compassion and respect for all animals are conveyed during our talks.
Tailored presentations and activities for kindergarten and primary school children are done by our Education Team and can be reached at education@acres.org.sg for further info.
Project-based and VIA (Values-In-Action), can be contributed by sourcing items from our wish list, raising awareness, or supporting our fundraising initiatives.
To learn more about how you can get involved, please download the Project Brief, which outlines our organisational needs and available projects in detail.
Community Outreach
At ACRES, we believe that lasting change for animals begins with people. We work to inspire and empower individuals of all ages to take action for animals and the environment.
Our Community Outreach Programmes connect people through meaningful volunteer opportunities, partnerships with companies, public forums, roadshows, and global campaigns—all aimed at building a more compassionate society.