An estimated 40 million donkeys provide vital livelihoods across the developing world, but many suffer from overwork, injuries, and inadequate veterinary care, with welfare improving through targeted programmes.
Working donkeys in low-income countries experience welfare challenges that are inseparable from the poverty of their owners. Overloading, inadequate water during work, poor harness fit causing severe wounds, and lack of access to veterinary care are widespread problems. The rapidly growing trade in donkey skins for Chinese gelatin production is causing population crashes in some African countries as donkeys are slaughtered faster than they can reproduce, ultimately harming the livelihoods of dependent communities. Welfare improvement programmes that provide owner training, appropriate equipment, and mobile veterinary services have demonstrated strong welfare outcomes.