An estimated 40 million donkeys work in developing countries, often under conditions that cause significant chronic suffering. Understanding and improving their welfare is a global animal welfare priority.
Working donkeys occupy a critical economic role in communities that have few alternatives — they are not luxuries but survival tools. This context means that welfare improvement cannot be achieved simply by removing donkeys from work; it requires improving the conditions under which they work. Key interventions include harness fit assessment and repair, hoof care, wound treatment, water access during work, and weight limits. Donkeys are significantly more stoic than horses — they mask pain and distress effectively, which means owners and observers often fail to recognise welfare problems until they are severe. Training programmes that teach owners to read subtle signs of pain and distress, combined with accessible farriery and veterinary services, are the most effective welfare interventions in these contexts.