Local Alpaca Farms Welcome the Public

Two alpaca farms in Murrieta will welcome the public this weekend for National Alpaca Farm Days. People are invited to visit the farms to meet the friendly, fluffy alpacas and learn about the alpaca industry in the United States and Canada.

National Alpaca Farm Days is an annual event promoted by the nonprofit Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, based in Nashville, Tenn.

“This is a great opportunity because there are lot of special activities going on. The best way to learn about alpacas is to go and meet some,” said Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association spokeswoman Cindy Berman.

In Murrieta, the Shiloh Springs Ranch at 39505 Avenida Bonita in La Cresta will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are welcome to meet the alpacas, shop at the store for goods made from alpaca fleece and enjoy a range of vendors at the farm. Whispering Oaks Ranch at 42925 Calle Roble in Tenaja will also be open to the public both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The United States first commercially imported alpacas in 1984, and today, there are more than 160,000 registered alpacas in North America, according to the association.

Alpacas are alert, intelligent, curious and sociable herd animals, according to their owners. There are two types of alpacas in the U.S.: the Huacaya, which is more common and has a fluffy, fine coat; and the Suri, which is more rare and has a silky coat.

Alpacas are shorn, without being harmed, every 12 to 18 months for their soft fleece, which is used by hand-spinners, knitters and fiber artists to make scarves, sweaters, hats, rugs and other products. Alpaca is soft and warm but weighs less than wool and comes in 22 natural hues that can be dyed any color.

For more information, visit NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com.