May 8th is World Donkey Day—Be Their Voice Today!
EJIAO, MANUFACTURED BY BOILING DONKEY HIDES, IS SOLD ON AMAZON & NOW ON ETSY!
A hidden tragedy impacting animals—and the people who depend on them
STOP THE SALE OF EJIAO.
A dramatic rise in the global trade of donkey hides is fueling a devastating crisis. Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America millions of donkeys are being slaughtered each year to meet demand for ejiao, a gelatin derived from their hides.
As prices surge, so does illegal activity. Donkeys are being stolen, trafficked, and slaughtered in inhumane conditions—sometimes just steps from the homes of the families who rely on them. This is not only an animal welfare emergency—it is a humanitarian crisis.
For many families living in vulnerable communities, a donkey is not just an animal—it is their livelihood. Donkeys carry water, transport goods, help grow food, and provide access to markets, schools, and healthcare. When a donkey is lost, a family can lose everything. The consequences are immediate and severe, often pushing already struggling households deeper into poverty.
Why This Is Happening
Ejiao, a product made by boiling donkey hides, is used in traditional medicine and cosmetics. Its growing popularity has driven an alarming increase in demand.
An estimated 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered each year for their hides
Demand is projected to rise to 6.8 million annually
The United States is now the third-largest importer of ejiao products
This demand is accelerating both legal and illegal trade, creating widespread suffering and destabilizing entire communities.
Our Immediate Goal
We must stop the sale of ejiao on the world’s largest online marketplaces. By reducing product availability, we can disrupt the economic incentives driving both legal and illegal donkey slaughter.
Organizations around the world—including Brooke USA and its global partners—are working tirelessly to:
Advocate for bans on donkey slaughter
Support international policy change with organizations like the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organization
Educate communities on protecting their animals
Combat illegal trade through government partnerships
But we cannot do this alone.
OUR IMMEDIATE GOAL
Take Action: Help End the Demand
1. Urge Congress to Support the Ejiao Act (H.R. 5544)
The Ejiao Act aims to prohibit the trade of donkey hides and ejiao products in the United States. Your voice can help protect donkeys and the people who depend on them.
Contact your U.S. Representative today and ask them to support H.R. 5544
2. Tell Amazon and Etsy: Stop Selling Ejiao
Online marketplaces play a major role in fueling demand. By allowing the sale of ejiao products, companies like Amazon and Etsy are contributing to this crisis.
We need them to take responsibility.
Contact Amazon Leadership
Andy Jassy, CEO
Amazon Corporate Headquarters
410 Terry Ave N
Seattle, WA 98170
📧 Copy: Office of Public Policy
ATTN: Robert Diznof
RDDiznof@amazon.com
Amazon Office of Public Policy
1800 S Bell Street
Arlington, VA 22202
Contact Etsy Leadership
Josh Silverman, CEO
📧 jsilverman@etsy.com
Etsy Corporate Headquarters
117 Adams Street
Brooklyn, NY 11202
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Meet Joseph - Nakuru, Kenya
Joseph lives in Bobung, near Nakuru, Kenya. He works as a water vendor, delivering water to homes and businesses, using his donkeys. He has a wife and six children. “My entire family’s needs and my needs depend on my donkey. From my donkey I am able to get a salary, I pay rent and even school fees.”
When Joseph’s four donkeys were stolen from him, he was devastated. “I used to love them so much…the only person I depend on is my donkey and I trust him as my boss. He has brought me this far.”
It is likely that Joseph’s donkeys were stolen and slaughtered for their hide.
Not only was Joseph concerned about the welfare of his donkeys after they were stolen, but he found his livelihood to be in real jeopardy also. He has only ever delivered water, and had no other skills to find alternative employment. “This is the only job that I know.” Sadly, the theft of his donkeys was the beginning of a downward spiral for Joseph.
“Ever since my donkeys were stolen, my business came down drastically… this led to one of my children having to stop school because they were stolen at the time when he was returning to school and he needed the school fees… The landlord locked me out so I had to plead with him…my kids couldn’t sleep outside. I had so many problems during that time.”
KEEP IN TOUCH
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