Donkey and horse become unlikely best friends with heartwarming bond
30 July 2026: To celebrate International Day of Friendship on 30 July, global animal welfare charity Working Animals International is sharing the story of a horse and donkey who have formed a special bond, showing that friendship can sometimes transcend species.
While donkeys are social animals that need companionship, this is usually with other donkeys. But four-year-old Beletu, a female donkey, has found an unexpected companion in Donsa, a four-year-old male horse. They met at an animal health and welfare centre in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, which is run by the charity’s local partner, Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine (AAU).
Dr Reta Tesfaye, Working Animals International project lead at AAU, said:
“When Beletu first arrived at the centre in 2023, she was shy and hesitant to approach people. Because her new environment and housing were unfamiliar, once she entered her stable, she didn’t want to leave.
“Our team introduced her to Donsa so that she could have some companionship and they’ve been firm friends ever since. They live in adjoining stables, so they can see and interact with each other and during the day they graze together in a nearby field.”
The United Nations designated 30 July as the International Day of Friendship in 2011, celebrating the bonds that bring people and communities together. Beletu and Donsa’s unusual friendship is a heartwarming reminder that the need for companionship is something shared by animals of different species.
Rebekah Sullivan, Director of Global Animal Health & Welfare, Working Animals International, said:
“Companionship is incredibly important to donkeys, and they can become very distressed if they’re separated from a bonded companion. Donkeys will typically seek to form these companionships with other donkeys. While it’s less common for donkeys to form these close bonds with horses, it’s wonderful to see the special friendship Beletu and Donsa have developed.”
Ethiopia has the largest population of working equines in Africa and one of the largest in the world [1]. They are central to daily life in the country, helping to transport food and water, supporting families to earn a living and even helping children get to school.
Working Animals International has worked alongside AAU since 2003. The team provides essential support to working animal owners across the region, helping them keep their horses, donkeys, mules and camels healthy and well. In 2025, the team reached more than 12,000 animals in Bishoftu, and over 212,000 in the country as a whole.
ENDS
Media contact
Ruby Wright Barnes, Head of Communications and Campaigns, Working Animals International, Ruby.WrightBarnes@workinganimals.org / +Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3999
Ally McLaren, Communications and Media Officer, Ally.McLaren@workinganimals.org / +44 (0)20 7831 3999
Notes to Editor
[1] BEVA, Working equines: Assessment of welfare and management practices in and around Debre Markos District, Northwest Ethiopia, March 2025: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14497
About Working Animals International
For over a century, Working Animals International has been dedicated to transforming the lives of working animals and supporting the people who depend on them. We work with partners worldwide to increase access to essential veterinary care and campaign for better welfare standards. We support owners as they develop the knowledge and skills to look after their animals with confidence and care – while inspiring the next generation to do the same. Together, we’re building a world where working animals are healthy and valued, communities are stronger and livelihoods are more secure.
