Eddie is an alpaca that has been taken into care by The Llama Sanctuary in Tappen.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lynne Milsom

A neglected alpaca is on the mend after arriving at the Llama Sanctuary in the Shuswap and receiving much needed care, including a major hair cut.

The alpaca had mobility issues due to an overgrown coat and owners at the sanctuary were able to remove an incredible 30 pounds of the animal’s fleece which was matted and soaked with urine and feces.

“We had to saw the coat off, it was straight and dense and pulling so tightly on his spine,” said co-owner Lynne Milsom. “His skin has sprung back up now.”

Co-owner at The Llama Santuary in Tappen, Lynne Milstrom working to remove an overgrown coat from an alpaca.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lynne Milstrom

The owner of the alpaca had died and a member of the family called the sanctuary for help because they didn't know how to care for the animal.

“There was no cruelty. We believe it was from a lack of knowledge and maybe of bit of fear on how to handle him and that he would spit,” Milsom said. “If you watch on social media people put out videos of alpacas spitting. Either those animals are annoyed or they are trained to spit because it gets attention. A big part of our work is to undo these misconceptions.”

The alpaca arrived to the sanctuary underweight on Oct. 4, with crooked toes and a mite infestation, and has since received a hair cut, a nail trim and lots of food.

“Because he hadn’t been able to walk for awhile his joints were stiff and his feet were sore, his nails hadn’t been clipped and he also smelled really bad,” Milsom said.

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She said the animal has started chewing cud — something alpacas only do when they feel relaxed — and has started creating a dust bath to roll in which will help clean and neutralize his coat.

“He’s not afraid of us and yesterday some visitors were standing there and he was very calm, even standing to eat a bowl of food, it’s all very hopeful.”

Eddie the alpaca will have to have his teeth checked next, but for now his new keepers are “letting him get used to eating and relaxing first.”

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Located at 1315 Tappen Rd, the Llama Sanctuary is a charity organization that has been taking in old and injured llamas for almost two decades. They rely on donations to care for alpacas and llamas and provide the necessary protective structures and shelters for the elements. They are open to give guided tours to the public almost daily.

Go here to donate to the care for alpacas and llamas at The Llama Sanctuary including the construction of much needed winter shelters.

Owners at The Llama Sanctuary in Tappen, David Chapman (front) and Lynne Milstrom removing an alpaca's coat.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lynne Milstrom

An alpaca named Eddie at The Llama Sanctuary in Tappen after a hair cut.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lynne Milstrom

— This story was corrected at 2:36 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, to say the alpaca arrived at the sanctuary, Oct. 4, not Oct. 8, as originally reported. 

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