Donkeys are among the most used and least protected working animals in the world. Their unique physiology and behavioral needs require different care than horses.
Working donkeys occupy an unusual position in animal welfare discourse: they are simultaneously economically essential to millions of families in the developing world and chronically under-served by veterinary care and welfare standards. The Brooke Hospital for Animals and the Donkey Sanctuary have pioneered community-based welfare programs that train owners in basic care, harness fitting, and early disease recognition — approaches that improve animal welfare while supporting rural livelihoods. The stoic nature of donkeys creates a specific welfare challenge: owners may not recognize suffering until animals are severely ill or injured, because donkeys rarely show obvious distress even when in pain. Training programs that teach behavioral indicators of discomfort in donkeys — subtle changes in ear position, facial expression, gait — are more effective than programs focused solely on visible injury. The ejiao trade presents an escalating crisis, with millions of donkeys transported and slaughtered each year to produce gelatin for traditional Chinese medicine, with essentially no welfare standards applied.