Llamas/alpacas are usually available in New Mexico or Texas but that can vary and circumstances can change quickly. All SWLR lamas are placed with a non-breeding contract. SWLR does not adopt out single lamas unless you already have one or more. Prior to placement, the adoptee must meet SWLR requirements and submit the adoptee forms. SWLR can help with transport for an additional donation. If an adoptee can no longer care for their SWLR lamas, the lamas must be returned to the care of SWLR.
Please review the facilities check list, complete an adoption application, and send the completed application to SWLR. An adoption coordinator will contact you about the availability of llamas/alpacas and the current adoption fees. A ranch check will be done by a SWLR member prior to placing lamas. You can adopt, foster, or sponsor lamas. SWLR does have elderly lamas that are “retired” and are in need of a sponsor.
Contact your Adoption Coordinator for current adoption fees. Llamas are very strongly herd oriented, and they often develop close friendships with other lamas. Whenever possible, we try to adopt out llamas in their “family” groups. We have been known to make exceptions, but unless you already have one or more llamas, we never adopt one out or send it to foster care by itself.
When animals come into the SWLR system, many times they need to stay at a Foster home until an appropriate Adoption home is found or transportation is arranged for them to another (longer term) Foster home. This may be a short as over-night to days, weeks and possibly months. Please consider being a foster home or even a foster center! (And to be honest with you, lots of foster homes become permanent adoption homes!)
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENTS
- You agree to foster animals placed in your care, and return them to SWLR if you can no longer care for them
- You cannot breed, sell, give away, transfer or dispose of SWLR animals
- You agree to periodic farm and animal inspections by SWLR representatives
- SWLR will reimburse you for necessary medical expenses/vet services, special feeds, medications
- You agree to provide regular feed, hay, minerals, vaccines, de-wormers, and other routine products during the foster period for SWLR animals
STEP 2: SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO FOSTER TO YOUR NEAREST COORDINATOR
Complete the Application Form, located on our FORMS page, and submit it online. A coordinator will reach out to you once they receive it, but feel free to contact them directly to let them know you would like to foster.
STEP 3: COMPLETE A FARM CHECK WITH A COORDINATOR
You and your coordinator will agree upon a time and date to complete a farm check to ensure your location is suitable and safe for llamas and alpacas. Homes must adhere to our guidelines, noted below.
STEP 4: RECEIVE AND CARE FOR THE ANIMALS
When the opportunity arises, you will be contacted by your coordinator to ask if you are willing and able to take on fosters. This is a completely personal decision- some fosters can only take in one sex, some can only take in elderly animals, some can take 2, some can take 30. These details will be worked out with your coordinator to fit your preferences and abilities at the time.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The foster process is the same as for adoption, but transportation will be arranged at our cost. The foster home assumes responsibility for day-to-day care of foster animals. SWLR is responsible for any major medical expenses that arise, but the Coordinator should be consulted before action is taken to incur any significant expense. The foster home has right of first refusal if they express an interest in the adoption of animals in their care.
Thank you for considering the adoption or fostering of an animal from Southwest Llama rescue. The process for doing so is relatively painless and the rewards are tremendous.
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ADOPTION APPLICATION
Complete the adoption application online or email the appropriate adoption coordinator for your state. You may also reach out via direct message the SWLR Facebook page.
STEP 2: DISCUSS DETAILS WITH YOUR COORDINATOR
Once your form has been received, an adoption coordinator will contact you to discuss the details of your completed application and schedule the required farm check to ensure you are properly positioned for managing camelids. If it is not possible for someone to be on premises, pictures accompanied by a phone interview will typically suffice.
STEP 3: MENTORSHIP
Your adoption coordinator will go over the list of available llamas with you and assist in making the best possible match for you. you can review the website or our facebook page to see some of the animals available. Situations change rapidly, so not all animals may be pictured or listed. SWLR spans numerous states and farms, and we will attempt to minimize transport requirements as much as possible. It is wise to restrict your search to neighboring states when browsing the selection.
STEP 5: ARRANGE TRANSPORT
Once your animals have been selected and your facilities inspected and approved, transportation will be arranged if necessary. The adoption or foster contract will be sent for your review before delivery/pickup. Payment of designated fees is required on or before delivery. If your initial choice doesn’t work out For any reason Within the first 30 days, we will refund adoption fees or you may select another animal if available.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
SWLR places animals in same-sex pairs and always attempts to preserve bonded relationships. We do not typically place solitary animals, with the exception of specific situations where they will join an existing herd or llamas with a proven disposition to work as guardians for sheep, goats, or other appropriate livestock and are considered suitable for the applicants’ environment. All animals are adopted with a non-breeding policy.
- A minimum of ½ an acre space for 1 or 2 llamas or 3-4 alpacas, or a minimum of one acre for every 4 llamas or 8 alpacas.
- A safe, well-maintained fence (minimum of 4 ft tall, preferably 5). Barbed wire is not acceptable except in very specific cases and must be approved as a unique circumstance.
- Shelter from inclement weather with a minimum of 3 sides and adequate space for the number of animals it is anticipated to house
- Own or have access to transportation for adopted animals
- Hay and grain
- Mineral salt specified for camelids (ie: stillwater minerals)
- Routine care including vaccinations, de-worming, shearing, and toe-nail trimming
- Veterinary care as needed
- If new to camelids, the adopter must find a mentor who will teach them how to properly care for the animals, including shearing, trimming toenails, giving injections, de-worming and handling emergencies. In many cases, we can find a mentor to help you.
Contact your Adoption Coordinator for current fees & special circumstances involving fees.
SWLR’s adoption fee includes:
- A properly fitted halter and lead
- Gelding & fighting teeth blunted for males. Females have a non-breeding clause in the adoption contract
- Shearing if appropriate to the season
- CDT vaccination
- Worming as appropriate
- Ongoing support, information, and help through local mentors
Transportation is the responsibility of the adopter but we are happy to assist if we can manage it using our volunteer network. Volunteers are reimbursed for their mileage. Transportation cost will be reflected separately in the adoption contract and added to the total fees.
As a rescue organization, SWLR has a non-breeding policy which is in accordance with the universally accepted practice of all sanctioned rescue organizations. SWLR non-breeding policy is non-negotiable.
NOTE: It is widely accepted and recommended amongst llamas and alpacas that males and females be kept in separate pastures. Males, even if gelded, can cause harm to females through testosterone-driven behaviors.
Males:
Gelding of all males is mandatory. If they are too young to geld at the time of adoption, the adopter will be responsible for gelding at the appropriate age which is usually at age 18 to 24 months.
Females:
We adopt out all females with a non-breeding contract. These policies apply universally and imply a level of trust and integrity between SWLR and the adopter. Females need to be protected from exposure to intact males. Females that are subsequently bred in violation of the foster/adoption contract are subject to removal from the home.
Pregnant Females:
Placement of females that are either suspected or confirmed to be pregnant upon surrender is done on a case-by-case basis. Experienced homes that currently maintain a herd comprised of both genders are the most likely candidates for pregnant animals. Typically we prefer to retain them in the foster system until we know the gender of the cria because placing a female with a male cria into an adoptive home could be a problem for those who do not have the facilities to separate them at weaning and maintain ongoing separation by gender until such time as the cria is old enough to be gelded.