13th Annual Donkey Welfare Symposium
October 4-5, 2025
“Seeking Truth: Exploring the balance between research, experience, and evolving knowledge in donkey care.”
Register Now
Here are some of the Speakers:
Dr. Alex Thiemann
Cindy Davis
Dr. Cindy Xue
Dr. Erin Goodrich
Dr. Victor Urbiola
Dr. Andria Lessler
Dr. Emily Berryhill
Dr. Shaaban Faez
Megan Hensley
Covering topics on:
Parasite Control
Nutrition
“Cushings Disease” = PPID
Keratomas and Hoof Rehabilitation
Botulism and Tetanus
Cancer and more...
Registration
In-Person attendees:
U$180 - Donkey Enthusiast; U$ 260 - Veterinarian; U$ 170 - Veterinary Technician. Professionals and other categories of attendees vary.
In-person registration includes: Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday; BBQ and Music on Saturday evening; Complimentary T-Shirt is included if registered by September 8th (No exceptions).
Registration of Students, Interns and Residents is sponsored by the HALTER Project.
Virtual attendees:
U$130 (Zoom link will be sent; Does NOT Includes T-shirt)
Registration of Students, Interns and Residents is sponsored by the HALTER Project.
More about the Donkey Welfare Symposium
The Donkey Welfare Symposium brings thought-provoking presentations and discussions aimed to improving the health, welfare and well-being of donkeys and humans caring for donkeys.
The International Animal Welfare Training Institute (IAWTI) Organizes and Hosts the Annual Donkey Welfare Symposium since 2013 through the collaboration between the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and organizations committed to the welfare of donkeys.
The symposium has become a global venue for annual discussions of donkeys and the issues they face in the modern world.
For the first 8 years, the Donkey Welfare Symposium has been under the leadership of Dr. Eric Davis and Cindy Davis.
In 2021, Dr. Eric and Cindy Davis have retired from their directorship roles, and Dr. Lais Costa became the director of the Donkey Welfare Symposium.
Dr. Eric and Cindy Davis remain the strong driving force of this annual event. We thank them for their lifelong commitment and dedication to the health, welfare and well-being of donkeys worldwide.
Peacefully Valley Donkey Rescue and the HALTER Project have sponsored the Donkey Welfare Symposium since its inception. We are thankful for the unwavering support from the Peacefully Valley Donkey Rescue and the HALTER Project.
MAKE A GIFT
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The educational contents 12th Donkey Welfare Symposium are coming out soon.
We thank the sponsors for the 12th Donkey Welfare Symposium: the Peacefully Valley Donkey Rescue, the HALTER Project, Eagle-Eye Sanctuary Foundation, Selway Family Foundation, and Oscar's Place Adoption Center and Sanctuary.
We also thank all attendees and those that donated to the Donkey Welfare Symposium Fund.
View Past Donkey Welfare Symposiums
Donkey Welfare Educational and Research Projects
The Donkey Welfare Symposium Fund aids veterinary students in educational trainings.
In partnership with Rural Veterinary Experience Teaching and Service (RVETS), veterinary students travel to Sierra Gorda, México and join the Director of RVETS México, Dr. Victor Urbiola, and his team to provide care to donkeys in underserved communities.
With the support of the UC Davis Global Programs, veterinary students travel anywhere in the world to learn more about donkeys.
The Donkey Welfare Symposium Fund provides support for Research Projects