Do you have unused pasture for grazing and a shelter or barn? Have you dreamed of owning alpacas? 

We have alpacas available for adoption!

Considering alpaca ownership but aren’t sure if it’s right for you?

Consider fostering alpacas for us!

Requirements for both Fostering and Adoption

• Live in local NW Washington area**
• Be able to foster/adopt a minimum of 3 alpacas - they are herd animals!
• Grazing pasture with grass available
• Secure 4-foot high field fencing (no barbed wire or electric fencing)
• A 3-sided shelter with room to keep hay and grain dry as well as a place for alpacas to stay dry (a barn is preferable but not required)
• Access to quality water year-round
• No large dogs or wandering dogs in neighborhood
• No sightings or problems with wildlife such as cougars or bears
• Someone to care for the alpacas if you go out of town
• Review and understanding of provided “Alpaca/Llama Care” document by everyone involved in their care
• Make sure you are comfortable with spending time outdoors cleaning up after them!

**Note: We do not adopt our alpacas out of the local NW Washington area! I need to be able to check on them to make sure they are taken care of.  

Process for both Fostering and Adoption

Contact us regarding your interest in fostering/adopting, schedule an appointment for a one-hour visit to our farm to meet and chat about requirements, schedule an on-site visit to foster’s/adopter's residence where the alpacas will be housed to confirm requirements are met, complete any necessary improvements to property before alpacas arrive

 

Fostering Alpacas

Fostering alpacas is a great way to experience ownership without the expense. Fostering helps us by decreasing the number of animals on our pastures so the grass can have time to grow.  Also allows us to have the space for intake of any alpacas in an emergency situation.  Fosters can help even more if they are willing to pay us for cost of hay and grain but that is not a requirement.

Fostering is a temporary situation as we retain ownership of the alpacas until such time the foster decides to return them to us or adopt them.

We cover vet expenses as well as hay and grain. Cost for fosters should be nothing except time to make sure they are fed, watered, comfortable and safe.

Transfer: We have a two-horse trailer for transferring alpacas to your property as well as a supply of hay and grain to feed them

Ongoing Communication: Daily check-in for first week then once a week for a month, communication regarding supply of hay and grain so they can be replenished, 24/7 availability for concerns or emergencies that may arise as well as daily care questions

 

Adopting Alpacas

Additional requirements to adopt:

• You must be an established client with a nearby camelid vet
• Sign adoption contract stating the alpacas will not be used for breeding and if you are no longer able to care for them, they will be returned to Firwood Farm Alpacas & Rescue

Transfer: We have a two-horse trailer for transferring alpacas to your property 

Ongoing Communication: Daily check-in for first week then once a week for a month; 24/7 availability for concerns or emergencies that may arise as well as daily care questions