Originally printed in Llama Life II, Winter Issue 2004-2005, No. 72: reprinted with permission from LL2 and authors.

Catch Me If You Can

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By LANA Lama Lifeline (Sheila Fugina, Cris Jennings, Charlene Schmidt, Cathy Spalding)
www.gentlespiritllamas.com

One of the greatest operational challenges facing individuals involved in llama and alpaca rescue work is the art of actually "catching" them for the physical relocation from one property to another. Normally, it isn't a matter of just hooking up the trailer and transporting the animals to a new home; there is that very real "catch me if you can" aspect to factor in.

Animal control officers are very familiar with various methods of catching and relocating dogs, cats and even horses, but many haven’t the faintest idea how to deal with llamas and alpacas in rescue situations. In fact, without the benefit of the familiar structural containment used on their own farm or ranch, llama owners are often stumped when faced with catching untrained or frightened animals.

There are many factors involved in a successful camelid rescue. The better job we do in rescue situations, the less traumatic it will be for the llamas and alpacas involved...not to mention, ourselves! Below are some of the catching lessons learned through our own rescue experiences.

"Beam Me up, Scotty"

Since we don't have the Starship Enterprise teleporter to beam llamas and alpacas from one place to another, it behooves us to be as well prepared as possible by previewing the site where the rescue animals are located in order to determine catching and loading options. What is the access to the property? Is it steep, narrow or rugged? Will four-wheel drive vehicles be needed? Will rain, snow or mud complicate the rescue? Is a turnaround available? If several vehicles are needed, what type (vans, horse trailers, larger stock trailers) and how many? Is there a staging area and turnaround available for multiple vehicles? How many people might be needed for the specific situation; invite one or two more than needed to cover the unexpected.

Can trailers be brought right up to the animal living space, or will the animals need to be walked out or funneled through an area to the vehicles? Is there a small pasture or is there significant, wide-open acreage? Are there existing areas that can be used for containment, or will catch pens need to be erected? Are there materials on site to make effective funneling channels and catch pens? Portable panels or hog panels are convenient for construction of temporary catch pens. We have also used combinations of existing pasture fencing, several trailers, and temporary plastic mesh fencing for funneling and containment.

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