A Pathway to Alpaca Ownership

Description

One of the most rewarding decisions of my life has been to own, breed, show, and shear alpacas. I am a textile enthusiast and especially enjoy the vast array of woven products made possible using alpaca fiber. I have owned alpacas for the past 17 years and would love to share my enthusiasm for these beautiful creatures with others.
Purchasing, nurturing, raising, and mending an alpaca can be a very daunting task and requires mentorship, patience, and most of all, diligence, and a daily commitment to herd husbandry and to herd health. The Texas summer heat and the risk that parasites pose to ruminants, particularly alpacas, are not to be taken lightly.
It is very important for someone to know what they are getting into before purchasing a ribbon-winning show animal that can range anywhere from $15,000 to $150,000. The qualities that make an animal stand out in the ring – conformation (proportionality and body structure), the staple length of the fiber, the fineness of the fiber, consistency of the fiber diameter, and the uniformity of color of the fiber, is not often what a first-time alpaca purchaser is looking for. Most often, a newly introduced alpaca enthusiast is enamored by the cuteness, friendliness, and healthiness of the animal. Oftentimes our enthusiasm wanes, and I realize that from several hobbies I have enjoyed over the course of my life. What I am offering is an opportunity for you to dip your toes in the alpaca water, meet other alpaca breeders and enthusiasts, and decide if this is for you, before needing to make a $15,000 – $20,000 investment.
The Details
Legendary Kick Start Program is an alpaca lease-to-own program. I will provide a “package” of three fiber-quality females with wonderful personalities and whom I know will be a wonderful match for you. The cost to lease three animals is $375/month plus $100/mo for nutrients (hay, feed, and minerals). Other animals of your choosing may be substituted in the package for an additional cost, depending on the quality of the animal. You must own at least two acres of land, and your farm set-up must be approved by me during an initial site visit. There must be adequate shelter, water, cooling (fans), fencing, and a commitment to look after the animals. The first three months must be paid in advance as well as an approved 12-month livestock insurance policy that covers death or theft. You will be required to arrange transport of the animals to your farm and pay for any medicines and veterinary bills. I will conduct a site visit to your farm at the 90-day, 6-month, and 9-month mark to ensure that you are caring for the animals appropriately and to provide mentorship. If after one year you decide to purchase the animals, the lease-to-own price per month drops to $250/month for the next 12-months, after which I will transfer the certificate of ownership to you at the two-year mark. All feed and nutrients will be your responsibility for the second year. If you decide after one year that you do not want to purchase the animals, you will be required to transport them back to my farm. At the end of the two-year lease program, you will have paid $7500 for the ownership of the three animals. If you decide that alpacas are too much of a commitment, you will have had a wonderful opportunity, earned a greater appreciation for alpacas, and not have made a major financial investment that you regret. If you become an alpaca enthusiast and want to be a ribbon-winning breeder, then starting out in a lease-to-own program will give you time to join the Alpaca Owners Association, take online and in-person classes, attend shows, and develop a long-term breeding program. If interested, please contact me at Legendary Alpacas for an initial consultation and viewing of my beautiful animals.
Gina Glasscock
Legendary Alpacas of Texas
574 P Dawson Rd.
Maypearl, Tx 76064
469-834-5504
gina@legendaryalpacas.com