AlpacaGram 12.28 | Alpaca Disaster Preparedness Guide

Alpaca Disaster Preparedness Guide

Sent on behalf of Government and Industry Relations Committee (GIRCom)

Stay Ready, Stay Safe

Hurricane season runs from June through November, while fire season now lasts nearly year-round in some areas. Severe weather events—such as tornadoes and flooding rains—have recently affected many states. The most important step alpaca owners can take to reduce the impact of any disaster is to be prepared.

Make a Plan: Evacuate or Shelter in Place

Depending on the type of disaster and the resources available, you may need to choose between evacuating your animals or sheltering in place. The following suggestions can help you better prepare for a disaster. They are not exhaustive, and the specific actions you take will depend on the size of your herd and the types of disasters most likely to occur in your region.

Animal Identification

Ensure all animals have some form of identification—microchip, neck tag, ear tag—in case your alpacas get loose. Identification will help facilitate their return. If your alpacas are registered with AOA and their microchip numbers are recorded in the database—which you can do at any time—this information can help identify and recover your alpacas if they go missing.

Evacuation Planning Checklist

Evacuate whenever possible. Plan ahead.

• Identify primary and alternate evacuation routes
• Arrange potential host sites in safe areas
• Map backup routes in case roads are blocked
• Know that once a mandatory evacuation is issued, outside help may not be allowed in
• Verify health requirements of the receiving state if transporting animals across state lines

Evacuation Site Requirements

Evacuation sites should have (or be able to get quickly):

• Food
• Water
• Veterinary care
• Proper handling equipment
• Safe facilities for alpacas

For those unfamiliar with alpacas, the article What Are Alpacas on the AOA website (under About AOA → Governance → Committees → Government and Industry Relations Committee) is a helpful resource for emergency responders.

Transportation Prep

Make sure you have enough vehicles and trailers available to safely transport your alpacas. Avoid overloading trailers—overcrowding can lead to serious injury or even death. Rushing to load animals during an emergency can also cause harm. If you don’t have enough trailers for your entire herd, prepare a list of trusted individuals or farms who may be able to assist with transportation.

To make loading smoother and safer:

• Use halters and leads
• Train your alpacas to load calmly in advance

Finally, always confirm where your alpacas are being taken and keep a record of their temporary locations.

Shelter-in-Place Guide

If evacuation isn’t possible, you'll need to decide:

• Should you bring alpacas into a shelter?
• Or leave them outdoors?

Make your decision based on:

• The type of disaster
• The strength and location of your shelter

Evacuation Kit Essentials

Prepare an evacuation kit. This might include copies of registration papers (a source of identification), and a list of contacts, evacuation routes, and health records.

Build a Buddy System

Consider setting up a mutual agreement with a buddy farm located in a different threat zone. In the event of an evacuation, you can house each other’s animals as needed. This can be especially important if you're not available when an emergency strikes and need someone you trust to care for your alpacas.

To ensure others can act quickly in your absence, post the following information clearly in your barn or shelter area:

• Number and type of animals on the property
• Location of halters, leads, and your disaster kit
• Your emergency contact information
• Contact information for your veterinarian

More Disaster Prep Resources

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• American Humane Society
• USDA APHIS Emergency Management

Experts at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service have developed videos and publications to help ranchers and livestock owners prepare for hurricanes.

Preparedness materials are available on the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) website.

Two helpful videos include:

• Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock Owners, part 1
• Hurricane Preparedness for Livestock Owners, part 2

Final Thought

Emergencies don’t wait—prepare now to keep your alpacas safe when every second counts.