An estimated 40-50 million working donkeys in developing countries face high rates of preventable welfare problems including wounds from poorly fitting equipment, overwork, and lack of veterinary care.
Working donkeys with preventable welfare problems experience chronic pain from wounds and untreated conditions that impairs their work and quality of life. The barriers to treatment are primarily economic and educational rather than motivational — most owners care about their animals but lack knowledge or resources. Community-based veterinary outreach programs consistently demonstrate that low-cost interventions substantially improve donkey welfare and, by improving productivity, also benefit the families who depend on them.