During a recent field visit in Mitundu-Lilongwe, the Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA), with support from Animal Aid Abroad, spent time working closely with donkey owners in the community on the production of welfare-friendly harnesses for their donkeys.
For many families, donkeys are not just animals; they are a vital source of income. They transport food, firewood, farm produce, and people, helping households survive and stay connected to markets and services. However, when donkeys are forced to work with poorly fitted harnesses, they often suffer painful wounds, sores, and long-term injuries. These injuries not only affect the animals’ wellbeing but also reduce their ability to work, directly impacting the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.
To address this challenge, LSPCA has trained and supported donkey owners to make their own cart harnesses using appropriate designs and locally available materials that protect their donkeys’ skin and distribute weight more evenly.
Throughout the field visit, owners actively took part in cutting, stitching, and fitting the harnesses to their donkeys. They learned why correct fitting matters, how wounds develop, and how simple changes in harness design can greatly improve comfort and prevent injury of donkeys.
This approach reflects what sustainable animal welfare should look like: practical, locally led, and built on respect for both animals and the people who depend on them.
