Sharing the Load

Promoting the welfare of working animals is important not only for the sake of the animals themselves, but for the livelihoods of their owners. Sharing the Loadstimulates collective action among animal-owning communities to improve the health and husbandry of their draught and pack animals by applying the methods of community facilitation and collective action to the pursuit of animal welfare. Since 2005, the Brooke has been pioneering the integration of animal welfare science with best practice from the international development sector to build communities#xE2;#xAC;" responsibility for sustained improvement in the welfare of their working animals. Sharing the Loaddocuments the outcome of four years#xE2;#xAC;" development of this process and includes field-based participatory methods and tools designed specifically for this purpose, using lively illustrations and text boxes in accessible language on the theory of development practice and animal welfare science. The tools in this manual have been developed and tested with owners of working horses, donkeys and mules and are used daily with animal-owning communities in developing countries. They are also relevant for draught oxen, camels and other working species. Sharing the Loadshould be read by anyone who has direct contact with working animals and their owners, including veterinarians, community-based animal health workers, government extension workers and the staff of rural development NGOs.