An estimated 40 million donkeys work in developing countries, providing essential livelihoods. Their welfare is often poor due to overwork, inadequate veterinary care, and limited owner knowledge.
Working donkey welfare is a global equity and animal welfare issue simultaneously. Donkeys suffer from chronic, untreated wounds, exhaustion, and inadequate nutrition because their owners often lack knowledge of donkey needs or access to veterinary care. The ejiao trade - which requires the slaughter of millions of donkeys annually - has devastated donkey populations in Africa, removing working animals from communities that depend on them. Supporting organisations that combine community education, veterinary access, and advocacy against the ejiao trade addresses this welfare emergency comprehensively.