Firwood Farm Alpacas is one of very few true "rescue farms." We open our hearts - and our barns - to alpacas in need of rescue and re-homing. Since we started our herd in 2006, we have rescued, adopted or re-homed over 100 alpacas. Some of these are "foster fails" and will live out their lives here at Firwood Farm as they require special care. 

This is Miranda - one of our "foster fails" as she's part of our permanent herd.

We are an approved foster for Pierce County Animal Control in cases of alpaca and llama cruelty/neglect seizures. We have also worked with King, Snohomish, and Thurston counties to take in alpacas and llamas. 

Our Stanwood boys

We are proud to work closely with the non-profit Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue in Tenino, WA.  One of few alpaca rescues in the country, they do a tremendous job taking in some of the worst cases of alpaca neglect.  We support them in any way we can whether that be financially, helping with a rescue, or by fostering alpacas for them until we can find them forever homes. (CrossCreekAlpacaRescue.org)   

Alpacas need rescuing?

Yes, there are alpacas out there needing to be rescued from dire circumstances and some just needing to be re-homed. Unfortunately a lot is due to owner irresponsibility and others are due to circumstances beyond the owner's control such as illness, divorce, moving, etc. 

Two of four babies from a 2016 sheriff's seizure due to animal cruelty.

We have taken in alpacas from owners who had over 200 alpacas on a mere three acres, alpacas that were seized by local law enforcement due to owner neglect and cruelty, alpacas whose owners just "didn't want them anymore" and alpacas that were posted on Craigslist for "free" (who knows where these may have ended up).  We have had many “foster fails” over the years in that the alpacas fostered here never leave and become part of our permanent herd.

Before and after shearing pictures of Pandia (llama) and Sabrina (alpaca).  Snohomish County rescues in 2021.

In 2019, we were contacted about four alpacas who roamed free on 20 acres and had not been shorn for at least eight years.  You can see their "before" and "after" pictures below.  They are available for adoption as a group!

What is the difference between "rescue" and "rehome"?

RESCUE:   We define "rescue" alpacas as alpacas that are in a dire situation regarding their circumstances. Lack of annual shearing, lack of a nutritious diet, inadequate pasture and/or space for grazing are some of the neglect situations we have seen. 

RE-HOME:  Alpaca owners will contact us when they have alpacas they are unable to keep for some reason, i.e., moving, illness, divorce, death of a family member.  If we have room, we will take the alpacas in, make sure they are healthy and try to find a new home for them. 

Part of a group of 33 seized by law enforcement in early 2016. 

Some "alpaca rescues" say every animal they take in is a "rescue" because it sounds more serious (and tugs on donors heartstrings) when they are actually just a "re-home" from a place where they were taken care of but the owners are no longer able to do so. This is why we feel it's important to clarify the difference.

Our Alpaca Accommodations

We believe you must provide a quality environment for your animals if you want to produce the quality fiber and quality offspring. There are many factors that contribute to this environment and following are just a few:

• Nutrition: To quote Dr. Norman Evans, noted alpaca veterinarian, “Anyone can feed but nutrition requires some effort.” Our alpacas have access to fertile pasture, orchard grass hay, and chow (grain) as well as natural well water that has been tested to confirm its quality. Healthy and well-cared for animals are our number one goal.
  
  
• Shelter: Alpacas require shelter from the wind and rain as well as a place to offer hay and supplements that are kept dry. All the alpacas at our farm are offered a dry and comfortable shelter.
  
  
• Veterinary Services: We have retained Drs. Scott and Jackie Waltner in Mt. Vernon, WA to provide our primary veterinary services. Dr. Jackie, as she is known in the alpaca community, specializes in alpaca care and Dr. Scott is highly knowledgeable regarding alpacas and nutrition. We are fortunate to have such high-quality care available to us.
  
  

2014 rescues Snickerdoodle, Pacadoodle, and Yankee Doodle

Consider Supporting Firwood Farm Alpaca Rescue

We rely on donations, gift shop purchases, and farm tour sales to support our alpaca rescue efforts.

As you can imagine, this is not a lucrative task. For that reason, we have a store at our farm (and online) where proceeds go back into the care and feeding of our herd and those who need re-homing or rescuing. If you are able to support our efforts, we thank you for your kind heart in assisting us as we provide a loving environment for these helpless animals.

THANK YOU!

Baby born August 2016 from a rescued female.