We bought our first Alpacas in 2006.   Sheared them yearly. Had socks, mittens, hats, yarn made out of the fleece. Presented them to be judged at shows and brought home a few ribbons.  Watched cria births. Raised the cria to have their own offspring. Loved when my husband and I could care for the animals together.  But my husband got less and less able to care for them and their care began to fall on me. I got up early every day to feed animals in all weather before I went to work.  I couldn't trim nails by myself.  Held an animals for 2 hours while the Vet did surgery on her.  So we made the decision to re-home our alpacas.  They went to good homes in Missouri and Arkansas.  I have no regrets.  Loved them all.