An estimated 40 million donkeys provide livelihoods for millions of people in developing countries, yet many face serious welfare problems from overwork, inadequate nutrition, and poor harnessing.
Working donkey welfare is both an animal welfare and a development issue. The millions of donkeys providing essential services in developing countries are often their family economic lifeline — when a donkey is sick or injured, family income collapses. The welfare problems most commonly seen — overloading, wounds from poor harness fit, hoof neglect, and dehydration — are correctable with accessible interventions. Welfare education programs that teach harness fitting, wound care, and load management improve both animal welfare and owner livelihoods simultaneously. International organizations providing free veterinary care and practical training have demonstrated that welfare improvements and economic benefits for working donkey owners are aligned.