The code of welfare
The minimum standards every alpaca owner in New Zealand must meet, set under the Animal Welfare Act.
The Code of Welfare: Llamas and Alpacas is issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. It sets the minimum standards of care that anyone responsible for alpacas in New Zealand must meet, and recommends best practice for feed, water, shelter, handling, health and husbandry.
AANZ members are expected to farm to the code. New owners should read it before their first animals arrive; it is the clearest single description of what alpacas need from the people who keep them.
Where to find it
The current code is published on the MPI website (mpi.govt.nz) under animal welfare codes. Members can also find it in the member resource library alongside the AANZ breed standard and show regulations.
Need advice on your own animals?
Your vet is the right person for diagnosis and treatment. For everything else, AANZ members near you are usually happy to help.
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