An estimated 40-50 million donkeys work in agriculture and transport across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, often in conditions that cause chronic pain, injury, and premature death.
Working donkeys support the livelihoods of millions of families in low-income countries, making their welfare inseparable from human welfare in these communities. When donkeys are injured, ill, or die prematurely from overwork, the families that depend on them face economic hardship. Welfare improvement therefore serves both animal and human interests simultaneously. The most effective interventions combine accessible veterinary care with owner education about pain recognition, appropriate loading, harness fitting, and basic preventive care. These programs have documented success in reducing suffering while improving working animal productivity and longevity.