Donkeys serve hundreds of millions of people as working animals in developing countries. Overwork, poor veterinary access, and the growing skin trade are severe welfare threats.
Working donkeys are among the most overlooked farm and working animals globally. They carry heavy loads, work long hours, and receive minimal veterinary care. Wounds from poorly fitting harnesses, lameness, and exhaustion are near-universal in many working populations. The growing skin trade for ejiao production has added catastrophic pressure on donkey populations in Africa and Asia. Mobile veterinary programs demonstrate that targeted interventions dramatically improve welfare at scale.