Alpacas and llamas farmed for fibre are often perceived as low-welfare-impact livestock, but shearing practices, social management, and veterinary care quality vary considerably and affect the welfare of these highly social animals significantly.
Alpaca and llama welfare benefits from their perception as gentle and relatively low-maintenance livestock, but this perception can mask inadequate attention to their specific needs. Shearing is the most acute welfare event in fibre production, and poorly trained shearers cause unnecessary distress and injury. Social management matters greatly because camelids isolated from herd companions for any reason show significant stress. As fibre farming expands in Europe and North America, welfare standards need to develop alongside the industry rather than after problems emerge.