Working donkeys are vital to the livelihoods of millions of families in low-income countries, but many suffer from overwork, untreated injury, and inadequate veterinary care.
Working donkeys suffering from untreated sores, lameness, or eye conditions often continue to work because their owners depend on them and cannot afford veterinary care. This creates a cycle of declining health and productivity. The ejiao trade has added a new threat: donkeys are stolen and killed, depriving families of their primary working animal and income source. Both problems require targeted interventions that respect the economic realities of donkey-owning communities.