06-24-2020, 05:47 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-24-2020, 09:05 PM by LPC.
Edit Reason: Typo
)
I watched the video and was truly appalled at the cruelty and industrial style, rushed piece-work method of shearing alpacas. This happened in Peru, where animal laws are quite lax and inspections of large farms are more or less non-existent. I am not aware of such appalling standards of shearing being practised or tolerated, in the USA, Canada or Europe. This is partly because alpacas are very expensive outside of Peru and Chile, so they are a valuable asset (worth between 500 and several thousand euros, depending on age and sex) and even professional farms want to keep their animals in tip-top condition for sale or breeding.
As you know, Catherine, we have three alpacas whom we love dearly. We are not professionals, just enthusiasts. For those not familiar with such delightful creatures, I should explain that shearing each year is actually necessary for their health and well-being. If not shorn, they suffer from overheating in the summer and over several years the fibre would become so long that it would become matted and very uncomfortable (like some long-haired dogs).
So shearing is necessary. The problem arises when it is done on a large, industrial scale and workers are rushing to get the job done quickly, being paid per job, not per hour.
Also, in the video the shearing is done by dumping (even throwing) alpacas on to a table. In normal shearing situations, it should be done on the floor, never rushed, with care and compassion.
We used to shear our alpacas standing up, but they tended to wriggle much more, so in the end we tried the method used by professional shearers. These are the people who travel around small alpaca herds, i.e. peripatetic self-employed professionals. They have to do a careful, non-stressful job - or they wouldn't be invited back next year.
We now use the professional method, but do it ourselves (with the help of a friend who is very skilled at shearing). The legs are stretched with cords, so that the alpacas lie without wriggling. There is absolutely *no* need to hold the ears or tail at all. When shearing the neck, the head is simply held to the floor by someone, to avoid wriggling and the risk of a cut.
The idea of stretching the legs does look strange at first, but ultimately it stops the alpaca from wriggling and getting unduly stressed. If done properly, it is the kindest and most compassionate way to shear an alpaca. We have found that out by experience.
None of the above justifies the appalling cruelty and disregard for animal welfare in the video you posted, Catherine. The faces of the men carrying out this barbarity are obscured. If I had any say in the matter, their faces would be shown! Their actions are cruelty, pure and simple.
The best video I could find of how to shear an alpaca calmly is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpte6MLE1Ig
If the alpacas know and love the people doing the shearing, it really can be done as calmly as that! But once things become industrial in scale, then cruelty can and will rear its ugly head.
As you know, Catherine, we have three alpacas whom we love dearly. We are not professionals, just enthusiasts. For those not familiar with such delightful creatures, I should explain that shearing each year is actually necessary for their health and well-being. If not shorn, they suffer from overheating in the summer and over several years the fibre would become so long that it would become matted and very uncomfortable (like some long-haired dogs).
So shearing is necessary. The problem arises when it is done on a large, industrial scale and workers are rushing to get the job done quickly, being paid per job, not per hour.
Also, in the video the shearing is done by dumping (even throwing) alpacas on to a table. In normal shearing situations, it should be done on the floor, never rushed, with care and compassion.
We used to shear our alpacas standing up, but they tended to wriggle much more, so in the end we tried the method used by professional shearers. These are the people who travel around small alpaca herds, i.e. peripatetic self-employed professionals. They have to do a careful, non-stressful job - or they wouldn't be invited back next year.
We now use the professional method, but do it ourselves (with the help of a friend who is very skilled at shearing). The legs are stretched with cords, so that the alpacas lie without wriggling. There is absolutely *no* need to hold the ears or tail at all. When shearing the neck, the head is simply held to the floor by someone, to avoid wriggling and the risk of a cut.
The idea of stretching the legs does look strange at first, but ultimately it stops the alpaca from wriggling and getting unduly stressed. If done properly, it is the kindest and most compassionate way to shear an alpaca. We have found that out by experience.
None of the above justifies the appalling cruelty and disregard for animal welfare in the video you posted, Catherine. The faces of the men carrying out this barbarity are obscured. If I had any say in the matter, their faces would be shown! Their actions are cruelty, pure and simple.
The best video I could find of how to shear an alpaca calmly is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpte6MLE1Ig
If the alpacas know and love the people doing the shearing, it really can be done as calmly as that! But once things become industrial in scale, then cruelty can and will rear its ugly head.
