An estimated 200 million donkeys worldwide serve as working animals, often with inadequate veterinary care and poor welfare standards.
Working donkeys in many regions suffer chronic pain from untreated wounds, poorly fitted harnesses, and overgrown hooves. Overloading causes musculoskeletal damage and respiratory stress. Many work with wounds that would warrant veterinary care but go untreated. Poor nutrition and inadequate water further compromise welfare. The welfare improvement requires both education and access to basic veterinary care.