Alpacas and llamas are kept globally for fiber and trekking, but welfare standards in the industry vary widely. Their complex social and behavioral needs deserve greater attention.
Alpacas and llamas have a gentle reputation but are prey animals with strong stress responses to improper handling. Shearing, if conducted poorly, causes significant acute distress — animals are often restrained in uncomfortable positions for extended periods. Dental disease, foot problems from inappropriate terrain, and gastrointestinal parasitism cause chronic welfare problems that go unaddressed in many small-scale operations. Social housing is non-negotiable for these herd species. The growing luxury fiber market creates both the opportunity and the incentive for higher welfare standards throughout the supply chain.