Llamas are popular companion animals in Arizona for a variety of reasons.
Have a lot of stress in your life? A llama is the perfect therapist! Due to their quiet persona and zen-like nature, just being around a llama is enough to erase the stress of the day.
Get tired of carrying all that weight on your backpack trips to the high country? Llamas can be trained to carry packs weighing from sixty-to-eighty pounds. And llamas, because of their soft padded feet, are environmentally friendly and do not cause damage to the terrain.
Enjoy fiber crafts? A llama’s hair(fiber) can be spun into a luxurious lightweight yarn that can then be used for knitting, weaving, crocheting, tatting and other needle arts. Compared to sheep’s wool, llama fiber is lighter and warmer and contains no oils.
Keep a small herd of sheep, goats or alpacas that are occasionally harassed by a wandering coyote and stray dog? Llamas can easily integrate into your to herd to alert and sometimes guard against these threats.
The Adoption Process
Prior to placing an animal into a new adoptive home, a facility check must be completed by one of our certified volunteers. This will ensure that the llama(s) will have adequate space, shelter, feed and care; moreover, that the adopter is wanting a llama for the right reasons. There are special facility requirements if the llama’s new adoptive home is in the low-or-mid altitude desert climate zones of Arizona due to the risks associated with heat stress and valley fever.
The organization is responsible for transporting, shearing, trimming toenails, halter training and vaccinations prior to placement. The adoption fees also include a lead and properly sized halter for each llama, and a book on Llama Care.
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Adoption
Once a facility check has been completed, our volunteers will provide feedback on your facility and work with you on the next steps. Because llamas are herd oriented animals, a single llama will not be placed in a new home unless there are other lamas at the facility. Female llamas may not be used for breeding. These pre-adoption steps and conditions are in place for the health and well-being of the animal(s). They are backed by knowledgeable and experienced volunteers that will provide mentorship throughout the relationship. The fostering process mirrors the adoption process; but, the llama(s) continue to be listed as candidates for adoption. The foster caretaker is responsible for shelter, space and feed. Veterinary expenses, if approved, will be reimbursed by the organization. Should the foster caretaker wish to adopt the llama(s) after a period of time of fostering, a discount is given on the adoption fee. Facility Check Guidelines View Adoption Terms and Fees |
Surrender
Llamas are typically surrendered to the organization because of failing health, aging or lifestyle changes for the owner. We are not a sanctuary; therefore, prior to accepting the animal an evaluation is done by a volunteer to determine if the llama has any significant health or behavioral issues. ABS (Aberrant Behavior Syndrome), though rare, may be a concern with a llama that has been over-socialized by humans when it was cria. After pick-up, the llamas are immediately transported to a foster facility for an evaluation of their health and social skills. They are given the recommended vaccinations and introduced to the herd. If necessary, toenails will be trimmed, fighting teeth blunted and an appointment made with a licensed veterinarian for gelding if it’s an intact male. This is all done to ensure that when the llama is ready for his or her new home, it will be a rewarding and satisfactory experience for all involved. Visit our Contact page to let us know if you or a family member need to surrender a llama. View Surrender Terms |
