Mother thanks Acres and child’s school for trying to help seemingly distressed pigeon
A mother who spotted what appeared to be a distressed pigeon in Yishun has thanked a primary school and Acres for their efforts, while sharing a lesson she learnt about helping injured wildlife.
Stomper Ang Chew Shu Bee noticed the pigeon at Yishun Ring Road at around 7am on Aug 21.
She told Stomp she noticed that the bird was standing on one leg with the other tucked up, surrounded by droppings and with its eyes closed.
“It appeared barely able to move,” she said.
As she was rushing off, the woman contacted her son’s school nearby, hoping someone could help take a photo or video of the pigeon so she could seek assistance.
Stomp understands that a staff member from the school helped with Shu Bee’s request.
She then contacted Acres via WhatsApp to report the sighting.
Based on a screenshot seen by Stomp, Shu Bee was informed that callers are advised to remain by the animal’s side to ensure that it is still at the location before Acres officers can attend to it.
She was also told that the animal welfare organisation has only one van attending to rescue calls islandwide.
According to a Straits Times report, Acres receives a high volume of calls for assistance. In 2025 alone, the organisation received 16,459 calls — up from around 15,000 in 2024.
In 2024, it also had to scale down its 24-hour operations, shifting operations from 7am to 1am daily, due to a lack of funds amid an increase in the number of animal rescue cases.
Fate of pigeon unknown
Unfortunately, Shu Bee was unaware that she had to stay by the pigeon’s side and was unable to find someone who could do so.
Though she was also advised by Acres to help contain the bird in a cardboard box lined with newspapers, she said the bird was “nowhere to be seen” when she returned to the area.
“I only found out that evening,” she said. “I kept thinking that if someone who could help had stayed with the pigeon, perhaps it could have been taken care of.”
She added that she has since passed by the area before work on several occasions after that, but has not seen the pigeon again.
She remains unsure of what eventually happened to it.
Rather than feeling upset, Shu Bee said the experience helped her better understand how wildlife rescue works.
“Having learnt from this experience that someone needs to stay with an animal until help arrives, I will make sure that happens in future,” she said.
She said she felt drawn to helping the pigeon as “it is a life after all”.
“I teach my son that all beings share this world and that we should care for one another.”
She wanted to remind others that they should not assume that someone else will step in simply because an injured animal is near a school or a wildlife organisation.
“Why not be the first person to reach out and try to help?” she said.
She also thanked both Acres and her son’s school for responding to the situation.
“I’d like to thank Acres for taking the time to look into the situation and for the work they do to help wildlife,” she said.
“Even though I’m still not sure what happened to the bird eventually, I’m grateful that people care enough to step in and try to help.”
What to do after calling Acres’ rescue hotline
According to the Acres website, members of the public who wish to notify Acres of wildlife in distress should follow these steps:
- Stay calm and safe, do not move the animal unless it is in immediate danger, and only if it is safe to do so
- Call or WhatsApp the Acres wildlife rescue hotline at 9783 7782
- Provide accurate information on the animal’s location and condition
- Follow the Acres team’s guidance on what to do while waiting for help to arrive
- Stay nearby if it’s safe and possible to do so, and guide the Acres team upon their arrival
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