LAMA CARE AND
RESCUE SITUATIONS

NHLA RESCUE POLICY

The New Hampshire Lama Association (NHLA) is NOT a rescue organization. We were formed to help promote the lama industry, which includes primarily llamas and alpacas. As our mission statement says on every page of this site:

To Help Promote, Market, Educate, and Create
a Support Network for
New Hampshire Lama Owners and Enthusiasts.

However, as part of that support network, we want to prevent problems and help when needed.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM PROPER CARE
FOR A LAMA?

1. Always have TWO lamas. Lamas are herd animals and need at least one of their own kind to be healthy and happy. The only time ONE llama should be considered is for guarding sheep, goats, or other livestock herds. Make sure a guard llama is mature (at least 4 years of age, past the puberty stage) so that he will guard adequately and that a male llama is gelded. Be advised that not all llamas make good guard animals.
2. Provide feed at all times (hay, pasture, grass) and fresh water daily. A salt and mineral supplement should be provided. A daily grain supplement is also given to lamas. Lama grain can be bought from various manufacturers: Agway, Blue Seal Feeds, Purina (Mazuri), Poulin.
3. Always cut up treats (carrots, apples, etc.) so that the lama does not choke on them. Lamas have no top teeth in the front and find it hard to bite-off a piece of a treat.
4. Toenails need to be trimmed (if the lama is on a soft field with no rocks/gravel to wear them down). They should not curl under the foot into the soft pad.
5. Have the lama on a worming/vaccination schedule. Meningeal worm is a problem in New Hampshire (carried by the white tailed deer) and worming frequently is necessary to prevent this problem.
6. Avoid too much contact with a baby lama. This can lead to a problem called the berserk male (female) syndrome when the lama hits puberty. Avoid bottle-feeding a baby lama, as this can also lead to improper behavior towards humans. If you REALLY need to bottle feed, contact someone who knows the risks and can advise you on how to do it properly.
7. Halter train and lead train the lama. This is a MINIMUM training requirement. You may also wish to desensitize the lama to being touched, making it easier to handle him when doing medical and herd management routines.
8. Training a lama to go into a vehicle (van, trailer, etc.) is good in case you need to bring him to the veterinarian for treatment. If a lama needs to stay overnight at the vet clinic, bring along a friend to be with him.
9. NEVER leave a halter on a lama when in the pasture. The halter can slip down on the nose and cut off his breathing (death) or catch onto something and strangle him. Also, a halter left on can cause sores or become too small and grow into the face on a lama that is still growing.
10. Heavy or medium fibered lamas need to be shorn in the spring (late April/early May) to prevent heat stress. Always leave an inch or two of fiber on the lama. This will protect and insulate the lama from the sun and prevent sunburn.
11. Always provide shade for the lama during hot summer months. Some people use fans, sand soaked with water, or large containers for the lama to cool off in. Always provide at least a three-sided shelter in the cold, winter months.
12. DO NOT BREED lamas with genetic problems (choanal atresia, bent legs, multiple toes on a foot (more than two), etc. These lamas should be culled from the breeding pool. They may make fantastic pets, fiber animals, therapy animals, or other uses but should not be bred.

WHAT DO I DO IF A LAMA IS LOOSE?

1. Contact your local police and let them know. If you don’t have the phone number of your local animal control officer, they can contact him/her for you or supply you with the phone number.
2. Contact any local veterinarians. They can post a sign in their office. Sometimes, their clients may see the lama and report him to their local vet.
3. Let your neighbors know that your lama is loose. Also a good idea in case they let their dogs wander loose. This could cause a problem for the lama if the dogs find him and chase (injuries or death).
4. Contact your local SPCA if you have one in the area. They also may be willing to post a sign or keep an eye out for him.
5. Send an email to an NHLA member that lives close to you and that is on the New Hampshire Lama Association web site. Members generally will get involved to help find a loose lama and round him up. They can send out emails and let others know of the situation if more help is needed or to coordinate a rescue attempt.
6. Let everyone know that lamas are not dangerous animals. They will not harm an area environmentally or physically and will not attack or attempt to harm humans. Educate the authorities as to the behavior of lamas (don’t run at them and spook them, don’t approach their head as they are head shy, etc.).

HOW DO I FIND A LOOSE LAMA?

1. Look for new manure piles in the area that he is roaming. Lamas will generally try to use the same manure piles (they can establish several) and be spotted when using them.
2. Keep an eye out on trails through the woods where he may be roaming. Wild animals, as well as lamas, will tend to use trails that are easy to walk on.
3. Fields and watering areas tend to bring animals there for food and water.

HOW DO I CATCH A LOOSE LAMA?

1. Always train a lama to come to grain. Bring a bucket of grain with you and shake it from time to time so that he can hear it and come to it.
2. If a lama is alone, try to bring another lama along. Lamas don’t like to be alone and will often seek out companionship.
3. Have several people with ropes and try to surround him, using the ropes as a temporary fence. Move SLOWLY (no running, no waving hands, no loud voices) towards him, using the ropes to surround him. Take your time and limit movement so as not to scare him. Talk calmly to the lama as you approach it.
4. Sometimes the lama(s) can be herded back to their pasture even if you can’t actually catch him. Often they will be glad to rejoin the herd once they return. This may not be the case for a lama which is new to a herd.
5. Use a tranquilizer gun ONLY if he is noticeably badly injured (bleeding heavily, broken leg that would become worse, etc.). I hesitate to mention this, and would leave it as an option only if the lama is in immediate danger from an injury, where catching him any other way would cause further harm or death. This is a task for a veterinarian, animal control officer or state game official only. Also, lamas are much lighter in weight than they look. A large alpaca rarely weighs much over 150 pounds and a large llama seldom weighs over 400 pounds. A really huge llama might hit 500 pounds. Don’t over-tranquilize them.

WHAT DO I DO IF I KNOW A LAMA
IS BEING ABUSED OR NEGLECTED?

1. Contact your local police or animal control officer and report the incident. They will know whom to contact to investigate and take action.

WHAT ABOUT DISASTER PLANNING?

These web sites will help with disaster planning for your animals:

• CDC - Animals in Public Evacuation Centers
• FDA - Information for Pet Owners
• FEMA - Information for Livestock Owners
• FEMA - Information for Pet Owners

These publications from the Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group will help with lama management and care:

• Recommended Practices (PDF)
• Standards of Care (PDF)

ARE THERE PLACES THAT HELP
WITH LAMA RESCUE?

Yes, the following places are good sources of information in lama rescue cases:

 

Brother Francis Llama Rescue and Retirement
P.O. Box 461
Clayton, WA 99110
Email: info@brotherfrancisrr.org
www.brotherfrancisrr.org

The mission of Brother Francis Llama Rescue and Retirement:

To give a home to the older llama (12+ years of age). Older llamas are not sold or used for any other purpose, just to enjoy their retirement time. Younger llamas may be placed in a new home.

 

Llama RescueNet
P.O. Box 215
Bow, WA 98232-0215
Email: lrnoffice@llamarescue.org
www.llamarescue.org

The mission of Llama RescueNet:

To respond to situations in which the well-being of one or more llamas is compromised, offering information and support to llama owners and caretakers or rehabilitation and suitable placement for the llama(s), whichever is appropriate.

 

Southeast Llama Rescue
2403 East Fork Road
Marshall, NC 28753
Phone: 828-689-5925
Email: rescue@southeastllamarescue.org
www.southeastllamarescue.org

The mission of the Southeast Llama Rescue:

To protect the quality of life and improve the well being of abused, neglected, unwanted and behaviorally unmanageable llamas through prevention, education, intervention, placement and lifelong care.

 

Stillpointe, a Sanctuary
Chela Grey
Peter Hagen Road
Seabeck, WA
P.O. Box 3320
Silverdale, WA 98383-3320
Phone: 360-830-9660 (Farm)
Phone: 360-452-3656 (Cell)
Email: lamadncr@earthlink.net
www.stillpointesanctuary.org

The mission of Stillpointe, a Sanctuary:

To rescue and rehabilitate llamas; arrange new home placement when appropriate and care for the others for the rest of their lives.

Provide a learning experience with these wonderful animals in a natural, peaceful setting utilizing activities involving the arts, nature and spiritual motivation.

Develop a retreat center where children, animals and adults may come together to find learning and growth in all levels of consciousness.

 

The Montana Large Animal Sanctuary & Rescue
P.O. Box 99
Hot Springs, MT 59845
Phone: 406-741-3823
Fax: 406-741-3824
Email: info@mtanimalsanctuary.com
www.mtanimalsanctuary.com

The mission of The Montana Large Animal Sanctuary & Rescue:

Give a second chance to sick, hurt, abused, and needy animals.

Educate the public to promote higher ideals of humanity towards all animals.

Rescue imperiled animals and give all animals the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity.

Currently includes approximately 1,000 lamas in residence.

 

Broken Fence Farm Llama Rescue, Inc.
P.O. Box 256
Hampstead, MD 21074
Phone: 410-374-8713
Email: bfflr@brokenfencefarm.org
www.brokenfencefarm.org

The mission of Broken Fence Farm Llama Rescue, Inc.:

To work with area rescues and other community organizations to protect the quality of life and improve the well being of abused, neglected, and unwanted animals through education, placement, and life-long care of large livestock.

 

Northeast Llama Rescue
Email: laraway@midtel.net
www.jabed.com/llama/index.htm

The main mission of the Northeast Llama Rescue:

Educate owners on how to properly care for their llamas.

Will take in unwanted llamas as needed.

 

Southwest Llama Rescue, Inc.
88 Valley Drive
Silver City, NM 88061
Phone: 505-538-5761
www.southwestllamarescue.org

The mission of Southwest Llama Rescue, Inc.:

A non-profit organization to protect the quality of life and improve the care of all llamas.

 

Hog Heaven Rescue Farm
2681 Mallory Road
Cochranton, PA 16314
Phone/Fax: 814-425-1850
Email: hogheaven1@alltel.net
www.hogheavenrescue.org

The mission of Hog Heaven Rescue Farm:

To rescue, rehabilitate and foster abused, neglected, and unwanted hoofed animals. We take these animals in and provide vet care, feed and farrier care. We work on getting these animals healthy--physically, emotionally, and socially--and then adopt them out to loving forever homes.

 

The Western New York Llama Rescue Group
Email: llamarescue@verizon.net
www.wnyllama.org

The mission of The Western New York Llama Rescue Group:

A privately funded llama and alpaca rescue organization dedicated solely to the rescue and care of llamas and alpacas and other camelids in need throughout the Western New York area.

 

Pet.Abuse.com
P.O. Box 5
Southfields, NY 10975
Phone: 888-523-PETS
Email: info@pet-abuse.com
www.pet-abuse.com

 

New Hampshire SPCA
P.O. Box 196
104 Portsmouth Ave.
Stratham, NH 03885
Phone: 603-772-2921
Fax: 603-778-7804
Email: info@nhspca.org
www.nhspca.org

The mission of the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

A community resource center bringing animals and people together. We provide adoption, education, investigation and sheltering services in a professional and compassionate way.

Lost pets can be posted on the NH SPCA web site.

 

Print List of Rescue Organizations