Alpacas and llamas are increasingly farmed for their fibre, with welfare considerations spanning shearing practices, social housing, and the broader supply chain ethics of South American production.
Alpaca and llama farming welfare depends on shearing quality, social management, and basic husbandry standards. Shearing must be done by trained practitioners and in weather-appropriate conditions, as freshly shorn alpacas are vulnerable to cold stress. Social isolation causes chronic distress in these gregarious animals. The global fibre supply chain, particularly in South America, has limited welfare oversight, and conditions on smallholder farms vary enormously. Consumer interest in certified ethical alpaca fibre is growing but certification schemes remain underdeveloped relative to the scale of the industry.