Alpacas and Fiber Industry Welfare Standards

Alpacas farmed for fiber production have welfare needs that are increasingly scrutinized following undercover investigations in South American facilities.

Key Facts

Over 4 million alpacas provide fiber in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, with growing production in North America and Australia
Investigations by PETA and others have documented rough handling and injury during shearing in some facilities
Alpacas have highly developed social bonds and suffer distress when separated from herd companions
Like llamas, alpacas communicate distress through spitting, humming, and posture changes that handlers must interpret
Certified humane shearing programs using trained handlers show significantly lower injury and stress indicators

Welfare Considerations

Alpaca fiber production spans a welfare spectrum from small certified farms with excellent handling standards to large facilities where speed and throughput override welfare considerations. Shearing is the primary welfare-sensitive event, and its quality depends entirely on shearer training and time allocation. Consumer demand for certified welfare alpaca fiber is growing and influencing industry standards.

What You Can Do

Choose alpaca fiber products certified under Responsible Alpaca Standard or equivalent
Support small-scale alpaca farms with transparent animal welfare practices
Avoid products from brands that have been documented in welfare investigations without verifiable remediation