Arizona Llama Rescue

There are many misconceptions about llama spitting.  It’s a social behavior that is often exaggerated for reasons we as an organization dedicated to llama health and welfare don’t quite understand.

Here’s what you should know:
·       When properly raised in a healthy herd environment, it is rare for a llama to spit at a person.  We see it when the llama was handled excessively during its first two years of development – petting, hugging, bottle feeding, or over-handling.  Also when a llama is restrained during veterinary exams, where the animal is unable to flee, spitting may occur as a stress and defense mechanism.

·       Spit happens between llamas to establish pecking order, when a llama is encroaching on another llama’s space, or when they’re having a quarrel.  A llama’s social status in the herd is ever-shifting. When feeding llamas, it’s recommended to have a least one hay-feeding station more than the number in the herd.   Some will share, but having an extra feeding station gives them an ability to establish a personal space; thereby, lessening the potential for conflict.

·       Llama spit is nasty; and as shown in the photo, it’s not a pleasant taste or smell for the llama sending or receiving.  It’s basically regurgitated hay – green and wet – up from their three stomach compartments.

This past Saturday, volunteers drove Phantom to his new home in Wickenburg, AZ.  Arizona Llama Rescue will place only one llama if the adoptive home already has a llama, because of their social need to be a part of a herd – even if it’s only a herd of two.  In this case, Phantom will have a lot of company with a llama, alpacas, and horses.  The new owners reported on Sunday that Phantom is shy, but is getting to know his new family and hasn’t missed a meal.

Three coyotes visited our Snowflake, AZ, facility this morning just before sunrise.  This one posed briefly before running off.  With our herd of llamas standing watch, the coyotes posed no threat to our sheep, goats, alpacas, and chickens.  
To learn more about how llamas can serve as guardians, please send your questions to Dave at rescuewrangler@gmail.com

Looking for a pet? Chandler woman seeks homes for 15 llamas.

>> Click here for the full story

April 21, 2008

“Llamas Find Refuge at Queen Creek Facility”
by Sarah J. Boggan
Featured in the East Valley Tribune

” Queen Creek residents Dave Salge and Alicia Santiago have their hands full with nine    rescued llamas in addition to four of their own, as part of the Arizona Llama Rescue, a non  -profit they founded. “A lot of older people get into llamas and alpacas and eventually they go into nursing homes or pass away” Santiago said. “A majority come from those situations…”

> Click here for the full article
> Click here for the video

April 3, 2009

“Taking Care of Llamas is Serious for Chandler Woman”
by Weldon Johnson
Featured on www.azcentral.com

“Barbara Peacock is used to people stopping and staring at the odd-looking animals in her backyard …..”

> Click here for the full article

April 4, 2009

“Rescue Finds Homes for Llamas”
by Weldon Johnson
Featured in the Chandler Republic

“A good potential llama owner is someone with enough space for athe animals and lives in    an area where they are allowed”