Approximately 125 million donkeys worldwide bear heavy loads and endure harsh conditions, with welfare often severely neglected.
Working donkeys frequently suffer from wounds caused by ill-fitting harnesses, overloading, lack of food and water, and untreated injuries. Their stoic nature means suffering often goes unrecognized. The ejiao skin trade is causing catastrophic population declines, with donkeys killed in inhumane conditions. Donkeys can experience both physical and psychological suffering.