“I really feel like I belong”

27 October 2025
Anne Coos Vuurmans

Photo: Edwin Butter

Anne Coos Vuurmans (65) wanted to continue doing something meaningful after her retirement and actively build new experiences. That’s why she became a public volunteer at Artis.“I am deployed in places where the public comes into direct contact with animals. Such as the Monkey House, the Lemur Land, and the Butterfly Garden. I keep an eye out and ensure that the animals can continue to exhibit their natural behavior as much as possible. In addition, I provide information and pique the public’s curiosity about the animals and plants.”Keep learning“I had no experience with this work. I have always worked as an editor at an educational publishing house. I retired at the age of sixty, but I find it very important to remain active. I want to keep learning and contribute to society. Since I live near Artis and I found it very interesting to learn more about the garden and visit it more frequently and in a less casual way, I chose this.”

I receive a lot of positive feedback. That makes the work very lively and rewarding.

Surprising Stories“The great thing about this volunteer work is that I stand in one place for a long time and therefore see and learn a lot about the animals. But also about nature, the monuments, and the history of Artis. The audience is almost always surprised when I tell them stories and point out things they would otherwise overlook. Like the tiny poison dart frogs that produce the high-pitched, whistling sound in the Butterfly Garden. I receive a lot of positive feedback. That makes the work very lively and rewarding.”Flexible“I officially need to be available for a minimum of two sessions per month, but in practice, I am there more often. Sometimes even three sessions per week. Simply because I enjoy it so much. There is an online schedule where I can sign up for times that suit me best. I find this a great advantage, as I don’t want to commit to specific times too much.”

Everyone is warm and willing to share knowledge with each other

Growing as a volunteer“I really feel like I belong at Artis. Volunteers are clearly seen as meaningful, even indispensable, by the organization. There is a lot of attention for each other. I experience this as extremely positive. Everyone is warm and willing to share knowledge with each other. I can also participate in a training program, so I can further grow into a tour guide in the future. Doing volunteer work is truly valuable to me. I stay active, have enthusiastic colleagues, and I find it very inspiring to be able to share something with the public about the zoo. For them, it’s a day out, but for me, it’s just as much!”Interested in volunteering in the Nature and Environment sector, just like Anne? Check out these job vacancies.Non-breaking space

Categorieën
All storiesVerhalenVerhalenVerhalen (een leven lang)

Nieuwsbrief

Inschrijven

Wil je op de hoogte blijven van wat VCA allemaal doet? Schrijf je dan in voor de nieuwsbrief


Contact

Meer weten over vrijwilligerswerk? Neem contact op met Melita Bacic
T 06-37199450  |  m.bacic@vca.nu

Melita Bacic werkt voor:
- VCA Hoofdkantoor
- VCA Zuid