Donkey Welfare: Working Animals and Global Trade

Donkeys are the primary working animal for an estimated 500 million of the world's poorest people, facing severe welfare challenges from overwork, poor nutrition, and the global skin trade.

Key Facts

An estimated 40 million donkeys live worldwide, mostly in developing countries
Donkeys are being slaughtered at unprecedented rates for their skin used in ejiao (traditional medicine)
The Brooke charity reaches 6+ million working donkeys and horses with welfare support
Working donkeys often carry loads exceeding their body weight
Ejiao demand has caused donkey populations in Africa and Latin America to collapse

Welfare Considerations

Working donkeys commonly suffer from overloaded backs causing spinal damage, harness sores from ill-fitting equipment, untreated wounds and infections, and chronic malnutrition. The ejiao skin trade creates cruel slaughter conditions as demand outpaces humane capacity. Stolen and illegally slaughtered donkeys are killed in conditions causing prolonged suffering. In communities that depend on donkeys, poor welfare is often an economic necessity, requiring welfare support alongside livelihood programmes.

What You Can Do

Support Brooke and The Donkey Sanctuary welfare programmes
Oppose ejiao products and advocate for consumer awareness campaigns
Support demand-reduction campaigns for donkey-derived traditional medicines
Engage with development organisations that include working animal welfare in poverty programmes
Learn about the donkey skin trade and share awareness widely