Useful organizations and references for alpaca owners and anyone thinking about alpacas, with a focus on the Southeast: national associations, research, veterinary help and the official rules for moving animals.
Alpaca associations and registries
- Alpaca Owners Association (AOA)The national US association and alpaca registry. Shows, the fiber standard, education and the show calendar. The SeAA is an affiliate.
- AOA show calendarFind certified alpaca shows near you, including the February shows in Concord, NC.
Research
- Alpaca Research FoundationA non-profit, founded in 1997, that funds research into alpaca health and welfare. Its board includes camelid veterinarians and scientists.
- Camelid resources (formerly the International Camelid Institute)Hosted by Ohio State's Veterinary Medical Center: normal reference values, research libraries and a directory of camelid veterinarians by state.
Veterinary hospitals in the Southeast
University teaching hospitals treat alpacas and llamas and take referrals for difficult cases. Call ahead before bringing an animal.
- University of Tennessee Farm Animal HospitalKnoxville, TN. Farm animal care and emergencies; the college has also hosted camelid conferences for owners and vets.
- University of Florida Large Animal HospitalGainesville, FL. Internal medicine, surgery and emergency services for large animals.
- Auburn University J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching HospitalAuburn, AL. Farm animal services for livestock owners across the region.
Rules for moving animals
- State Animal Health Officials (USAHA)Contacts for every state's animal health office, the people who set entry requirements for alpacas.
- AOA: Animal transportation and show requirementsHealth certificates, microchips and tests for travel and shows.
- Tennessee llama and alpaca directoryThe Tennessee Department of Agriculture's list of farms.
On this site
- Alpaca factsWhat alpacas are, where they come from and how they live.
- Alpaca farms in the SoutheastFarms you can contact, visit or buy from.
- Transporting alpacasPaperwork, trailers and travel tips.
- All articlesOur guides on llamas vs alpacas, wool, crias and more.