An estimated 40 million donkeys work in developing countries, providing livelihoods for some of the world's poorest communities while frequently experiencing serious welfare problems.
Working donkey welfare involves a complex intersection of animal welfare and human poverty. Communities that depend on donkeys for their livelihoods cannot easily absorb animals unable to work, creating difficult welfare trade-offs. The most effective interventions combine free veterinary care, harness fitting, farriery, and owner education - simultaneously improving animal welfare and the productivity and income of dependent families. The ejiao trade threatens donkey populations and welfare globally through unregulated slaughter and long-distance transport under poor conditions. Raising working donkey welfare standards improves both animal and human wellbeing simultaneously.