Skip to content

What are you looking for?

Why Keep Alpacas?

Alpacas enable owners with small acreages the ability to diversify and earn income from their land and animals.

Alongside a very sophisticated breeding industry, a vibrant marketplace for alpaca fibre is growing.  Attracted by the softness of the fine yarns and the abundance of shades in natural undyed colours, the modern world is embracing alpaca with a passion. 

  • Alpaca trekking is an increasingly popular activity along with alpaca experiences that allow the public to get to know these lovely animals.

  • BAS support trekkers with a a code of best practice which members can sign up to, The code of practice is here. An application to sign up to the code is here.

  • Alpacas make really good pets and are great paddock ‘mowers’. Many alpaca owners enjoy the company of their alpacas and the daily contact they have. Alpacas are long lived (15 to 25 years) and easy going.

Alpacas are used as guards by free range poultry keepers. The instinctively work together to “see off” foxes.

  • Alpacas make really good therapy animals, tourist attractions, ‘event guests’. Alpacas appear at weddings, in care homes and often welcome visitors to campsites.