Top 10 Reasons You Should Buy From A Reputable Breeder
So, you have seen your first alpaca and decided you can’t live without them. We have all been there. But you don’t want to rush into a 20+/- year commitment with your new found pet unless you know what you are getting into! You should always buy from a reputable breeder. Why? Well, look below!!
10. You buy an alpaca at an auction and when you get it home, it spits green slime all over you. eeww! What happened? Is this how they say hello and thanks for bringing me home? An auction will be able to tell you all sales final. A reputable breeder will tell 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 will explain to you that the alpacas are herd animals and should never be alone. A happy alpaca has lots of alpaca friends!
8. You bring this alpaca home and it does not fit in the guest bedroom. I thought they said it could come in the house!?! Well, the reputable breeder will explain to you that these are outdoor animals and should not be placed in the guest bedroom.
7. On a beautiful summer day with the temperatures around 85, you notice that you alpacas “fur” is getting pretty long. It will take too long to braid it, so it is 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 the summer heat hits. 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 are running at you and trying to body slam you! 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 warn again being very cuddly with alpacas. The reputable breeder would advise you to stop over socializing the alpacas and give you advice on how to turn their behavior around right away before someone gets hurt!
5. Your beautiful alpaca has been doing great eating your lawn. What a great way to save on gas for the lawn mower! Fall is coming and it is 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 what your alpacas need. 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 have seen dogs drooling before, but this is ridiculous! The auctioneer did not 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 are there on Sunday’s, right? The reputable breeder you could have purchased from will tell you that they have seen this before & explain to you why your alpaca is drooling and calm your heart rate!
3. Those alpacas got out of their pen again!! Why do they keep walking over your 2’ high border fencing? You were told they do not challenge fencing, so what is wrong here?! The reputable breeder will explain to you that fencing is to keep predators out and depending on your native predators, including neighborhood dogs, you fencing should be at least 6’ high and have a way to keep predators from digging under the fence.
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 never told you about this! It sounds precious, doesn’t it? It could be a deadly combination!! A reputable breeder will explain to you about Meningeal Worm, how an alpaca can get it and how to prevent it!
1. Finally, you decide that the alpacas are just not for you, not at this time. The auctioneer has cashed your check and your money is 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 a disposable pet that can survive in the neighborhood munching on lawns and food from the garbage cans. Yes, a reputable breeder would take it back or help you find a new home for them. But, you do not even have to think about this if you take the time to learn about alpacas, visit various alpaca farms that raise them, ask questions, learn about their care and then decide before you buy.
Please, consider the life of the alpacas and how they can enhance your life BEFORE you buy!
Authors Note: I wrote this article for the alpaca-pet.com website. It was subsequently published in the NEAOBA News Fall 2008 Magazine.
