Donkeys are used as working animals by millions of people in low-income countries. Their welfare is frequently compromised by overloading, injury, and lack of veterinary care.
Working donkeys are the invisible engines of rural economies across the developing world, yet their welfare is severely neglected. They cannot advocate for themselves, their pain signals are subtle, and the communities depending on them often lack resources for better care. Welfare improvement in this context requires culturally sensitive, community-based approaches: educating owners about donkey needs, providing access to veterinary care, distributing better harnesses, and demonstrating that well-cared-for donkeys work harder and last longer. Donkey welfare programs that work with communities rather than imposing solutions from outside achieve lasting change.