Donkeys are among the most overworked and neglected animals in developing regions, where millions provide essential transport and agricultural labor under conditions that cause chronic suffering.
Working donkeys in low-income countries are often invisible in animal welfare discussions despite the scale of their suffering. They are fundamental to the livelihoods of millions of families — carrying water, transporting goods, and plowing fields — yet they frequently receive inadequate nutrition, water, veterinary care, and rest. Harness injuries create chronic painful wounds. Overloading causes musculoskeletal strain. The welfare of working donkeys is intimately linked to the economic wellbeing of the communities they serve: improving donkey health and reducing working hours directly improves family income and food security. Organizations like The Donkey Sanctuary work through community veterinary education and harness design improvement to address these issues.