Donkeys working in brick kilns and urban haulage in South Asia and the Middle East face some of the most severe welfare conditions of any working animal population globally.
Brick kiln and urban haulage donkeys represent some of the worst welfare conditions for any domesticated animal. These animals are often the sole productive asset of a family at the poverty line -- their owners cannot afford veterinary care, rest days, or proper equipment. The welfare of the donkey and the livelihood of the family are inseparable. Organisations working in these contexts understand that sustainable welfare improvement requires economic support alongside welfare education: subsidised harness fitting, free veterinary care, and community-based support networks. Pure welfare enforcement without addressing poverty drivers is both ineffective and unjust.