Alpacas and llamas are farmed for fiber and as companion animals, with welfare concerns around shearing practices, social needs, and stress from inappropriate handling.
Alpaca and llama welfare in fiber production centers primarily on the shearing experience and year-round husbandry. Traditional shearing methods that physically restrain animals cause significant fear and stress. Positive reinforcement training for shearing - teaching animals to stand calmly through desensitization - dramatically improves the welfare of the process. Social housing, adequate grazing, and protection from weather extremes after shearing are all important welfare requirements for these naturally cold-climate animals.