Participants were introduced to a wide range of issues including the domestic animal welfare scene, animal cruelty in product-testing, factory farming and animals used in the entertainment industry.

Questions came thick and fast during the sharing session as students formed a long queue behind the microphone, waiting for the speakers answer their questions. Due to the overwhelming response, there were many more questions than we could answer in the allotted time. It was extremely heart-warming to see the young so enthusiastic about wanting to share and learn about the animal welfare cause.

MTV VJ Utt, a self-confessed animal-lover, made a special appearance and led the students in reciting the Animal Pledge. He reminded us all how important it is to spread the message of kindness to animals. Utt was also kind enough to pose for photographs with students, who revelled in the opportunity to get up close and personal with the star.

At the end of the Symposium, the SPCA launched the Animal Welfare Project Fund. This will provide students with funding to carry out animal welfare activities. Students often have excellent ideas about how to improve the lives of animals, but lack the funding to put them into practice. Ten grants worth a total of $5,000 will be awarded, and we are confident that the students will put these to great use.

The SPCA would like to thank Deutsche Bank for the kind donation of $10,000, which made the funding of this Symposium possible. Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to the People for Animal Welfare from SMU and the group of gifted students involved in the Leadership Development Programme.

Animal welfare awareness is certainly growing strong amongst Singapore's youth. The SPCA will continue to foster this growth and is confident that the young of today will build a better future for Singapore's animals.