Hesitating at the Door, Saying "The Stench Is Too Much"... Controversy Over Attitudes of 40 Student Volunteers

Confusion at the Site After Group Visit by 40 Students
Criticism Grows Over Box-Ticking Volunteer Work

The shelter disclosed an account alleging that participants from a student volunteer group who visited an animal protection facility displayed an insincere attitude, sparking growing controversy.

The shelter disclosed an account alleging that participants from a student volunteer group who visited an animal protection facility displayed an insincere attitude. Akeu Shelter Ekseu

On the 3rd, Akeu Shelter, an animal protection facility, stated through its official social networking service (SNS) accounts that the site had experienced serious disruption due to students who came for a weekday group volunteer session. According to the shelter, about 40 students visited that day as part of a scheduled group volunteer activity.

In preparation for the larger-than-usual number of people, the shelter had allocated work in advance and even adjusted the schedule of existing individual volunteers. However, the shelter explained that the students' attitude on site did not meet expectations.

It was reported that as soon as the students arrived at the shelter, some were reluctant to enter the building, citing the smell, or refused to participate in activities because they might get wet. There were also claims that, even after being asked to clean the dog kennels, they did not readily step forward and instead spent time playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who would do the work.

A shelter official said, "Some students loitered in front of the shelter, saying they were afraid of large dogs and refusing to enter the kennels," and added, "If people hesitate outside, it can actually make the animals more sensitive." The official also noted that although an adult leader accompanied the students, there were limits to controlling the situation on site.

Akeu Shelter stated, "We even canceled visits from individual volunteers because a group volunteer session had been scheduled, but in the end it was no help at all, which left us feeling deflated," and emphasized, "An animal shelter is not a place that operates with plenty of spare time. Everyone is carving time out of their busy daily lives to care for the animals."

Once this account was made public, criticism mounted online. Internet users responded with comments such as, "They seem to have failed to grasp the true meaning of volunteering," "Even if they are students, an irresponsible attitude is a problem," and "Superficial volunteer activities only become a burden on the site."

Akeu Shelter is a rare shelter in Korea that specializes in caring for yellow mixed-breed dogs, and it continuously recruits volunteers and sponsors through its online channels.