Standards of Care

MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CARE FOR LLAMAS AND ALPACAS:

Minimum Standards of Care are mandatory to llama and alpaca survival and humane treatment. These are the most basic requirements that all llamas and alpacas must have for physical well-being.

Water:  
Animals should have continuous access to potable drinking water.

Nutrition:
Animals should have nourishment adequate to sustain life and health.

Shelter: 
Animals should have natural or man-made shelter that enables them to find relief from extreme weather conditions. The sheltered area must allow for the ability to stand, lie down, rest and reasonably move about.

Mobility: 
Animals should have a living area through which they can move freely and exercise independently.

Neglect:
Animals should have a physical appearance free from signs of serious neglect. Signs of serious neglect may include such things as crippled ambulation due to severely curled toenails, ingrown halters, or living conditions not meeting the minimums listed above.

Safety:
Animals should be reasonably safeguarded from injury or death within their defined living environment and/or when traveling.

Cruelty:
Animals should be reasonably safeguarded from cruel treatment and actions that endanger life or health or cause avoidable suffering.

Socialization:
Llamas and alpacas are herd animals and should not live alone without a companion llama or alpaca. A cria (a baby llama or alpaca under six months) should not be raised apart from other llamas or alpacas.

Shearing
Llamas should be shorn every other year, at least, and Alpacas should be shorn annually, to prevent heat stress.

Health Maintenance: 
Llamas and alpacas should have a yearly vaccine, periodic worming, their teeth should be maintained for proper eating, and their toenails should be trimmed regularly to prevent becoming crippled.

Reprinted by Permission:  Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group
Copyright 2005  

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