Home Page

Southwest Llama Rescue, Inc.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged
by the way its animals are treated." ~ Gandhi

The Colorado Auction Rescue

We didn't know what to expect when we went to the livestock auction in Ft. Collins, CO. SWLR had been contacted by Colorado Llama Rescue. Lynley NIchols of Colorado Llama Rescue alerted us that there were a number of llamas to be sold at auction, that they typically go for $20-$60, and that slaughterhouse buyers frequent this place. SWLR quickly put together a fund drive, which brought in enough money to send a buyer. L'illette and Kris, along with Bobra Goldsmith and some local non-SWLR buyers, brought home about 18 llamas altogether.

None of these llamas had been handled, cared for, shorn, or even received the basics of training. One elderly female was pregnant; one had just given birth the day before to a premature cria; one cria apparently didn't survive the trip; and one cria had been separated from its dam and placed with another female. Several young and adult males were taken to Rocky Mountain Llamas, other individuals and SWLR members took in the remaining llamas.

Update:
All 18 of the rescued auction llamas are safely homed, at least temporarily. The young adult males at Rocky Mountain Llamas, along with three females, are being trained to catch, halter and lead before being sent to their foster or, hopefully, adoptive homes. The individuals who purchased some of these auction llamas have reported back that their bloodwork showed no signs of BVDV (bovine virus). The preemie's ears started standing up in a couple of days; his teeth are coming in properly; his legs are straight and strong; he nurses well; and he's driving the other llamas crazy!

Pictures of the llama pens. Water was a tad less than fresh; hay seemed of pretty good quality; but very little shade on a very hot day.

Pen pix

More photos will be published of individual llamas, including the little preemie "Punk"