Raising funds for animals without 'cute factor' a challenge for Acres

Newly solo CEO in drive to fund expansion of wildlife rescue centre and other services

- Angelica Ang

After four years of running a wildlife rescue non-profit with a co-pilot, Mr Kalaivanan Balakrishnan is now flying solo and taking the challenges that come with it in his stride.

The 39-year-old, formerly one of two co-chief executives of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), intends to continue its mission of rescuing all needy wildlife, even those that may not be cute or cuddly.

Ms Anbarasi Boopal, previously the other Acres co-CEO, stepped down from her role on April 30. She plans to work on policies on the welfare of farmed animals next.

The pair had originally taken on the co-CEO roles in 2021, when Acres founder Louis Ng relinquished the role to focus on politics. He served as a PAP MP for Nee Soon GRC for a decade, from 2015 to 2025.

Ms Boopal oversaw Acres' advocacy arm, while Mr Kalaivanan managed the group's day-to-day operations, such as its efforts to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife.

One of his most memorable rescues was in 2018, when he helped to save a dolphin entangled in a fishing line at Bedok Jetty.

He has also been involved in the rescues of more commonly seen wildlife, including the Javan myna and kingfishers stuck on glue traps, and injured pigeons, macaques and otters.

With Ms Boopal's departure, Mr Kalaivanan has had to take on fund-raising efforts, which he says is a big challenge for him.

"Fund-raising for wild animals is a challenge on its own, because our animals do not wag their tails, do not purr, do not meow - they don't have a cute factor," he said in an interview on July 23 at Acres' premises in Sungei Tengah.

"Not everybody can resonate with snakes or pigeons, so to fundraise, we need to constantly find new ways."