The welfare challenges facing working donkeys globally and what organizations are doing to help.
Working donkey welfare sits at the intersection of animal welfare and human poverty alleviation. In many low-income communities, a donkey represents a family's primary economic asset and transport capacity — their welfare is inseparable from household food security. This creates a welfare context quite different from companion animal care: interventions must be practical, culturally appropriate, and economically sustainable. Organizations like the Donkey Sanctuary and the Brooke focus on community-based approaches that combine veterinary care with owner education and harness improvement, creating welfare improvements that are embraced rather than imposed. The welfare gains for donkeys translate directly into economic gains for their families.