The world's estimated 40-44 million working donkeys provide livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people, but often experience severe welfare harms from overwork, poor nutrition, and inadequate veterinary care.
Working donkeys in low-income contexts experience welfare challenges at every stage: inadequate nutrition from poor quality feed, wounds from ill-fitting harnesses and overloading, untreated injuries and infectious diseases, and insufficient rest. The deep interdependence between donkey welfare and human livelihood means that welfare improvements must be practical, culturally appropriate, and economically feasible. The Brooke's community-based approach trains owners in harness fitting, wound care, and appropriate loading - achieving welfare improvements that owners implement because they understand the productivity benefits.