An estimated 40-50 million donkeys work in developing countries under conditions that frequently compromise their welfare through overloading, poor hoof care, and harness injuries.
Working donkeys in low-income countries face welfare challenges rooted in poverty and limited veterinary access rather than deliberate cruelty. Harness designs that cause sores, overloading beyond the animal's capacity, and working through illness are common. The donkeys' stoic nature means welfare problems are underestimated. Organisations working in this space focus on community education and low-cost veterinary provision rather than enforcement.