Providing Sustainable Veterinary Support for Donkeys in Deprived and Developing Communities

Good animal welfare practices include prevention and treatment of disease and injury; mitigation of pain, distress and other negative states. Provision of diets and living conditions that are suited to the needs and nature of the species also promote good welfare. Animal welfare is not only a veterinary issue; it is strongly influenced by human behaviour. To ensure that veterinary support provided to donkeys worldwide is sustainable an attempt to understand and engage with the people who work and live alongside animals is essential. Recognition and understanding of cultural ‘norms’, knowledge and abilities that the community possesses are essential. Such understanding enables cooperation to identify the means of improving donkey welfare to achieve the goals of the community and facilitate their own initiatives and problem-solving ability. […]