An estimated 40 million donkeys and mules work in low and middle income countries - welfare challenges including overwork, poor harness fit, and inadequate veterinary care cause significant suffering.
Working donkey and mule welfare in low and middle income countries represents an enormous welfare challenge - tens of millions of animals experiencing preventable suffering from poor harness fit, overwork, and neglect. The Brooke and similar organisations demonstrate that welfare improvement is achievable through community-based education, access to veterinary care, and economic incentive alignment. Better welfare improves working capacity and longevity - creating economic arguments that resonate in communities where animal welfare values alone may not be prioritised. Supporting organisations working in this field is a high-impact welfare intervention with benefits that cascade through families and communities.