Managing working donkey welfare during hot seasons in low-income countries.
Working donkeys in hot climates face compounded welfare challenges: heavy workloads, often in direct sun, without adequate water or rest provision. Heat stress in donkeys manifests as increased respiratory rate, sweating, and reduced performance — signs that owners may not recognize as heat-related welfare compromise. Training programmes that teach owners to recognize and respond to heat stress, provide shade at work sites, and offer water frequently can dramatically improve welfare without requiring significant financial investment. The productivity argument — that less stressed donkeys work harder and longer — provides an accessible welfare case for communities focused on livelihood rather than animal welfare as an end in itself.