Alpacas and llamas are increasingly kept for fiber, as companion animals, and for therapeutic work, bringing new welfare considerations as their numbers grow in non-traditional settings.
The growth of alpaca and llama keeping has outpaced the development of welfare standards and owner education. Many animals are kept by owners with limited livestock experience. Social isolation causes chronic stress in these herd animals. Shearing, though necessary, can be highly stressful if performed improperly. Appropriate husbandry requires understanding of camelid-specific needs — social housing, proper nutrition, annual shearing, and monitoring for dental and parasite issues.