July 2022 - Currently fundraising to save the Cornwall llamas

Due to the passing of their long term owner, a large herd of llamas and guanacos in Cornwall are currently at risk of being destroyed. There are around 150 animals in total, including many babies that have only been born in this Summer of 2022. Due to a complex number of factors, a decision has been made (not by us) to put these animals to sleep if they cannot be rehomed before the end of August 2022.

In my role as Rehoming Coordinator for the British Llama Society, I am currently working with various parties to secure new homes for these animals. However, even with multiple people working together, it has not yet been possible to identify new homes for every single animal just due to the vast quantity of llamas and guanacos involved. The majority are still unspoken for.

Consequently, we are aiming to raise enough funds to transport and care for any unwanted animals here at our sanctuary in Pembrokeshire. Rehoming such a vast number of large animals is not easy, nor is it cheap. They will require specialist transportation. There will be a significant requirement for food, grazing space, living space, shelter, infrastructure, training, veterinary care, shearing, fencing etc. The list goes on and on.

These llamas will not be an easy rehome. The majority are more or less feral, they have never been haltered, and we are told there is likely inbreeding. They are not 'starter' llamas. They need to go to a home where they can receive the specialist care that will be required to allow them to have full and wholesome lives. At the sanctuary, we have a combined total of 18 years worth of llama experience, making us ideally placed to adopt these animals and ensure they flourish.

We believe everything is now in place to bring these llamas and guanacos to our sanctuary. The only thing we are missing is funding. Please help us spread the word and anyone who is in a position to donate, please help!

As those who follow us will no doubt be aware - rehoming llamas is just the first step of what we aspire to do here. We aim to make these amazing creatures accessible to everyone, and we are planning to have llamas working with different groups across society who could potentially benefit from animal interaction. Examples of areas that we can work include children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities, retirement homes, and disadvantaged groups across society. Our llamas are not intended as replacements for conventional care / assistance, but can be used in a manner that compliments existing care and therapy, and aids in positive outcomes for the individuals interacting with the llamas. It brings opportunities to individuals who would not normally have the chance to get up close with an exotic highly tactile animal and experience nature and rural life.

What's a guanaco?

Guanacos and llamas are both members of the camelid family. They are incredibly similar animals with a lot in common. Guanacos tend to be smaller and slighter than llamas, and generally more uniform in colour (shades of brown with white underbellies). Whilst the llama is a domesticated animal, the guanaco is still wild.

Guanacos are very rare in the UK - which makes it even more crucial that we manage to raise enough funds to save the Cornwall guanacos from being culled.

Any funds that do not end up directly assisting with the rehome of the Cornwall llamas and guanacos will be used to aid future sanctuary rescues of llamas and guanacos across the UK. As the Rehoming Coordinator for the British Llama Society I come across this scenario regularly, so it won’t be long before further funding will be required and there is an endless list of items required (see above) to ensure that these amazing creatures have the best lives that they possibly can.