Working donkeys in low-income countries carry an enormous burden of agricultural and transport labor under conditions that frequently cause preventable suffering, yet receive minimal veterinary attention.
Working donkey welfare sits at the intersection of animal welfare and human poverty - the same communities where donkeys are most heavily worked are those with least access to veterinary services, harness equipment, and welfare knowledge. The welfare problems are severe and chronic: harness sores from poorly fitting equipment become infected and extremely painful, hoof overgrowth causes lameness and postural problems, and nutritional deficits from overwork without adequate feed create systemic health decline. Welfare improvement programs that combine free veterinary care with owner education consistently show that welfare improvements benefit both animals and their owners through improved work capacity.