Donkeys provide livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people worldwide but face serious welfare challenges in working and farming contexts.
Donkey welfare intersects complex issues of animal welfare, human livelihoods, and development. In many contexts, donkeys are essential economic assets that families depend upon — their welfare is therefore linked to human wellbeing as well. Common welfare problems including lameness, harness wounds, and dental disease are often untreated because veterinary access is limited and owner knowledge is insufficient. Education, veterinary outreach, and harness design improvement can significantly improve donkey welfare without threatening the livelihoods that depend on them.