Alpacas are farmed globally for their luxury fibre, but welfare investigations have revealed significant problems with shearing practices, husbandry, and transport in some operations.
Investigations by animal welfare organizations have documented alpacas being restrained by all four legs during shearing, causing distress and risk of joint injury. Rough handling during shearing is a documented welfare problem. In their Andean home, alpacas face challenges from climate change affecting pasture quality. Farm welfare varies enormously; well-managed smaller operations provide good welfare while some larger commercial operations show significant problems. Alpacas are prey animals that show stress through vigilance behaviors, refusal to eat, and reduced immune function. Isolation from their herd for veterinary procedures or transport causes significant psychological distress. As with sheep, the welfare of fibre-producing animals deserves attention proportional to consumer interest in ethical sourcing.