Working donkeys are essential to livelihoods across Africa, Asia, and Latin America but often work in harsh conditions with limited veterinary care.
Working donkeys provide irreplaceable services to poor rural communities yet receive minimal welfare consideration. Their stoic nature means severe problems go unnoticed. Poor-fitting harnesses cause painful sores. Overloading causes chronic musculoskeletal damage. Improving donkey welfare requires practical, low-cost interventions that also improve productivity.