What is International Working Animal Day?
International Working Animal Day is an annual awareness day which takes place on 15 June. It was founded by SPANA in 2016 to highlight the vital role played by working donkeys, horses, mules, camels and oxen across the world, and to ensure they receive the care and respect they deserve.
This year, on International Working Animal Day 2025, we are raising awareness of the global water crisis and the devastating toll it is taking on working animals.
In many of the countries where we work, communities are facing a critical shortage of clean drinking water. The climate crisis is fuelling extreme weather—droughts, floods, and heatwaves—while poor infrastructure and the lack of piped water leave entire communities struggling to access this basic necessity.
Families are often forced to walk long distances to collect water from wells, pumps, or natural sources which are often not safe to drink from. And it is working animals who carry the heavy burden of transporting much-needed water. But despite the essential work they do, working animals are often the last to receive the water they so desperately need.
Without access to drinking water, working animals can suffer from issues such as dehydration, colic and organ failure. Even when water is available, it may be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites, which pose serious risks to their welfare.
At SPANA, we believe that working animals deserve access to safe, clean water. These animals are essential to the daily lives and livelihoods of so many communities, and we are working to ensure their role and their needs are not forgotten.
Did you know...?
SPANA provided 28,170 veterinary treatments to working animals in emergency drought responses in 2024
An estimated 703 million people across the world live without clean water
A working donkey in Mauritania’s capital transports an average of 400 litres of water at a time
SPANA’s work
Access to clean drinking water for working animals is a necessity, not a luxury. Across the world, we are working alongside our partners to help working animals affected by the water crisis. Here are just a few of the ways we have improved the welfare of working animals:
- In Zimbabwe, we drilled four solar-powered boreholes to provide water for working animals and their communities who had been suffering from the effects of drought
- In Morocco, we built ten drinking fountains in Marrakech so that thirsty caleche horses can access fresh water when working in the heat. The fountains are regularly visited by a SPANA water cart to ensure they are refilled, cleaned and maintained.
- In 2024, we provided 28,170 treatments to animals in emergency drought responses.
This work is only possible due to the continuous generosity of our supporters – thank you for ensuring we can be there for working animals when they need it most.
Alnair’s story
One of the working animals supporting their community through the global water crisis is Alnair, a donkey from Mauritania.
In the capital city of Nouakchott, many households are living without access to piped water. They rely on working animals, like Alnair, to transport water from standpipes to their homes. Without donkeys like him, animals and people would struggle to obtain water – an essential resource for survival.
When Alnair was suffering with itchy skin, his owner, Moubarek, knew he needed to seek professional help. He travelled to a SPANA mobile clinic, which was visiting the Dar Naïm region, where our veterinary team were able to diagnose Alnair with mange – an incredibly itchy and contagious skin disease caused by mites.
Learn more about how our team helped Alnair, thanks to the kindness of our supporters: [link to case study Success Story page]
How you can help…
In Turkana County, Kenya, the longest drought in 40 years is having a devastating effect on the region. Thousands of donkeys and camels are suffering. Many have already lost their lives. The situation is critical. Without immediate action more animals will die.
With our local partner Utunzi Animal Welfare, SPANA is aiming to provide emergency feed and water to 10,000 donkeys and 10,000 camels in desperate need.
But while we meet the urgent needs of these animals, we’re also working to prevent future suffering. We’re helping local communities build resilience by providing access to reliable water sources. By establishing water committees, we’re empowering communities to manage their resources and safeguard animal welfare for years to come.
Your support today could provide lifesaving feed and water for animals in need, like those in Kenya, and equip communities with the tools needed to protect them during future droughts.
Will you donate today to help working animals survive and recover, no matter where disaster strikes?
SPANA Ambassador and Celebrity Support
We are proud to have the support of our celebrity supporters who are calling on world leaders to prioritise inclusive water services that give fair and reliable water access to working animals and the people who depend on them. Read more in their open letter to editor.