Approximately 40 million donkeys worldwide work in agriculture and transport, often under poor welfare conditions.
Working donkey welfare is both an animal welfare issue and a development issue, as the health and productivity of working donkeys directly affects the livelihoods of millions of low-income families. Donkeys suffering from harness sores, foot disease, and dehydration work less effectively, increasing poverty and suffering simultaneously. Welfare interventions — providing proper harnesses, water, shade, and foot care — improve both animal welfare and household economic outcomes. The Donkey Sanctuary and similar organizations have demonstrated that community-based veterinary outreach and farmer education can dramatically reduce working animal suffering at scale.