10 Reasons Why You Should Buy Your Alpaca Pets from a Reputable Breeder
From Linda Lachanski of Pic A Paca Dreams Alpaca Farm
Written by Linda Lachanski
So, you have seen your first alpaca and decided you can't live without them. We've all been there. But you don't want to rush into a 20+/- year commitment with your new found pets unless you know what you're getting into! You should always buy from a reputable breeder. Why? Well, let's start with reason number ten!
10. You buy an alpaca at an auction and when you get it home, it spits green slime all over you. Eeeww! What happened? Is this how they say hello and thanks for bringing me home? An auctioneer will tell you all sales are final. A reputable breeder will tell you, that the alpaca is showing their displeasure with the current situation!
9. So, this alpaca is looking at you those big hypnotic eyes. To you it means - take me home with you! Then, you do. But, your alpaca is not happy with its new home. Why not? You thought you were perfect together! The reputable breeder would explain that alpacas are herd animals and should never be alone. A happy alpaca has lots of alpaca friends!
8. You bring your alpacas home and they don't fit in the guest bedroom. You thought someone said they could come in the house? Well, the reputable breeder will teach you that these are outdoor animals and should not be kept in the guest bedroom.
7. On a beautiful summer day with the temperatures around 85, you notice that your alpaca's fur is getting pretty long. It'll take too long to braid, so it must be time for a haircut. You take him to the nearest barber, but your alpaca won't sit or stand still! Not even for that red lollipop! You wish there were an easier way. If you purchased from a reputable breeder, you would have learned that an alpaca must have his fiber sheared in the spring, before it gets hot. No braiding required and you get to eat the lollipop!
6. What a beautiful day! You go out to feed, pet and snuggle with your new alpacas. Suddenly, they're running at you and trying to body slam you to the ground! Are they reincarnated wrestlers from the WWF? Your flea market dealer tells you to put on your Hulk Hogan outfit and take advantage of a good workout! A reputable breeder would have warned you that your cuddling has over-socialized your alpacas, and would give you advice on how to turn their behavior around pronto before someone gets hurt!
5. Your beautiful alpacas have been doing a great job of eating your lawn. What a thrifty way to save on gas for the lawn mower! Fall is coming and it's time to reseed the lawn, and hey, that seed mixture at your local superstore is on sale! Another way to save money! This is great! WRONG! Alpacas need a specific diet to thrive and regular cheap grass seed is not likely to have much nutritional value. The reputable breeder will help you determine the best type of forage to grow and/or purchase in your area. They would also explain how to have it tested.
4. You've seen dogs drooling before, but this is ridiculous! The auctioneer didn't tell you that your alpacas used to be part of a Pavlovian experiment! You don't remember ringing a bell, do you? Where is the vet's phone number? They work on Sunday, right? The reputable breeder you could have purchased from, would have told you that they've seen this before & would explain to you why your alpaca is drooling and calm your heart rate!
3. Those alpacas got out of their pasture again!! Why do they keep walking over their 2' high fence? The flea-market guy said they don't challenge fencing, so what could be wrong here? The reputable breeder would have explained to you that fencing is both to keep alpacas in, and to keep predators out -- and that fence height differs from location-to-location, but anything chest-height would be a joke to your new herd!
2. The alpacas are so cute! Look at them running and playing with the white tail deer in the field! You never knew that they would get along so well! The people at the flea market said they get along great with everyone! It sounds precious, doesn't it? But it could be a deadly combination. A reputable breeder would have explained to you about Meningeal Worm, how alpacas get it, and how to prevent it!
1. Finally, you decide that the alpacas are just not for you, not at this time anyway - but you've already bought them!!! The auctioneer has cashed your check and your money is long-gone. Maybe someone in the neighborhood will want them or maybe you could just let them loose in the woods. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!! Alpacas are not disposable pets that can survive in the neighborhood munching on lawns and food from garbage cans. Yes, a reputable breeder will do what they can if you're ever in this situation, but they would have saved you a lot of time and heartache by making sure you understood the commitment you were getting into, and didn't make an impulsive buy, in the first place!
Please, take the time to learn about alpacas: visit as many alpaca farms as you can, ask questions, and learn about their care. Think about the commitment you're about to take on, and decide before you buy!
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