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Serendipity Farm & Sanctuary - Alpacas & Llamas

A Safe Home for Healthy Happy Animals, Camelid Education and Experiences!

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Welcome to Serendipity Farm & Sanctuary - Alpacas & Llamas

What's Happening at Serendipity Farm & Sanctuary?

If possible, please support our current Fund Raiser in support of Chili's Dental Surgery!

https://gofund.me/5361cebd

We are open all year (closed Mondays and Wednesdays) for llama walks, private tours, and farm store shopping - ALL BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - Thank you!

Please see our "Visitor Information" tab before your visit.

Haltered Llama Walks for up to 9 people are available for booking - Please see our "Llama Walks" Tab for full details. (Llama Walk Gift Cards are also available!)

Admission for private tours is by monetary donation in support of animal care and feeding (Cash, Debit, Credit Card, or Interac Email Transfer) - accepted at our Farm and Sanctuary Store.

Donations can also be made at any time by Interac E-Transfer to: [email protected] ... and via PayPal or The Square - please see our Donations Tab - Thank you for your support!!

ALL REVENUES GO DIRECTLY TO THE CARE OF OUR ANIMALS!

Bags of Alpaca Beans Fertilizer ($5) and pick-up of Tractor Buckets of Composted Manure ($25) are now both on hold until Spring 2024.

You can also follow us on FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM for the latest Farm and Sanctuary news!!

At Serendipity Farm & Sanctuary, Alpacas & Llamas our mission is to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of our animals, while always recognizing the unique value, nature and needs of each and every one. We serve as a rescue sanctuary for llamas and alpacas in need of a place to live out their lives safely and happily. We are also dedicated to providing information and education about, and promoting the benefits of, raising, living with, and enjoying camelids in Canada.

Alpacas – An Overview

Alpacas are small animals of the camelid family (other members include llamas, camels, vicunas and guanacos). They were domesticated over 5,000 years ago by the ancient Inca civilization. Their fine cashmere-like fleece was once reserved for Incan royalty.

Alpacas produce fiber that is as fine as cashmere, soft, silky and much warmer than sheep's wool, while also wicking moisture away from the body. Alpaca fiber is lanolin-free making it virtually allergen-free! With the exception of mohair, alpacas produce the strongest animal fiber in the world. Their fleece comes in 22 natural colours, the widest assortment of colours of any fiber-bearing animal. Prized for its unique silky feel and superb handle, alpaca fiber is highly sought after by the textile makers of Britain, Europe and Japan.

Alpacas have a life span of 15 - 22 years. Adults weight 125 - 200 lbs and stand 34 - 36 inches high at the withers. Baby alpacas, called crias, generally weight 14 - 20 lbs at birth. Gestation is approximately 11 months. As a rule, alpacas are born during the day, usually between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Alpacas communicate through soft humming noises and a unique body language.

Today, in Canada, alpacas are raised for their exquisite fiber, and are enjoyed for their delightful personalities as well as the financial returns of raising and breeding them.

There are two types or breeds of alpaca, the huacaya and the suri, which differ primarily in the character of their fiber. The huacaya, the most common alpaca breed has a crimped or wavy fleece, whereas the suri has straight, lustrous fiber. In full fleece, the huacaya has a full, fluffy appearance, while the suri is elegantly draped in long, wavy locks.

Various worsted and woollen mills in Canada offer custom processing of alpaca fiber into various yarns, fabric and felt. Sweaters, blankets, mitts, socks, shawls, hats and duvets can be purchased through various home-based businesses.