Safe Transport

An article written by Jeanette Klomp

Transporting alpacas can be done in many ways: horse float, custom made trailer, van, in the back of the car (no joke!), in a crate on a trailer or ute. Custom made trailers and horse floats adjusted for alpacas are generally safe, as some thinking has been done on the design. Vans can be a problem if there is no partition between the driver and the alpaca compartment, especially when there is no other person in the van. There is one story of a minivan in which the driver (and sole person in the van) got peed on, as the alpaca was standing tail up behind the driver’s seat!

If they can do that, they can also spit or push their head forward in your face. Screen wipers on the inside may be necessary! Rented horse floats are meant for horses. The opening above the door in the back is often very large and the door/ramp can be too low. This can make a large alpaca have frontlegs dangling over the door in an attempt to get out. Beware if cars passing you will start flashing lights and use the horn to make you stop. Its not because you’re driving too slow! These are dangerous situations, not only for the animal, but also for the driver. If an accident with a van would happen due to an alpaca interfering with the driver, what insurance will pay the bill? What if the animal is able to get over the door? Better to be safe.

A crate that is open on the top is an invitation to jump out and this has happened. Imagine this situation when driving 80km/hr. A roof should be there to prevent this. Also think about the chilling factor of an open crate when travelling, a cover around the front will keep the wind out.

More Suggestions:

In a van have a partition made between driver and animal sections. This can be plywood, or another strong material. A lining can also be attached to the bars at the side and front, which most vans have. The lining will cover floor, both sides and the front where the partition is, made of waterproof canvas. A piece of carpet or artificial grass can cover the floor to prevent skidding. Everything can be taken out for cleaning as well.

With horse floats have a canvas flap on the back covering the big space above the door/ramp. When renting a float, check if it has this feature, or attach a piece of plywood to make the door higher.

Single alpacas that are well trained and used to travelling are usually ok in any form of transport. But think on what happens to them if you have to break heavily, they may get thrown over, panic and can cause injury to themselves and you (if in same compartment). A single alpaca in a large float could be injured in a crash, as they become a projectile (“cud missile”!). This is also true for more animals in a very big space. By dividing a large horsefloat in smaller units they stay safer. “Seatbelts” are available for dogs and look like a harness. It is possible to do this with a trained alpaca, but I have never seen or tried it. We welcome any suggestions from our readers! I contacted one of the directors of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, which deals with car safety, prevention of injury in crashes and the effect of impact on the human body in a crash. I was advised that, particularly in spaces made for bigger animals and too large for an alpaca, the physical trauma is not different to that in humans. Putting in partitions to decrease space was advised. Although no papers ever were presented on an animal crash scenario, the factors are naturally the same as putting a human in a horse float.

A smooth floor in vans, floats and trailers can be covered as described above to prevent skidding. Being able to keep their feet under them will also make the animals feel more secure and less scared.

Unloading. This can be a problem when they have to walk, but mostly jump, onto a slippery surface (smooth concrete, lino, very wet grass). I have seen alpacas jumping onto a slippery surface and make a head-on impact with a fencepost. This can cause injury to neck, jaw or nose (not the fence), but the fall can cause other damage as well. It is preventable when you think where and how to unload them. After sitting for a while in a moving object they may not as stable on their feet. Give them time to get out and adjust to standing still again. There are anti-skid paints available for in and outside use on concrete and other surfaces. It may assist you as well when walking on a wet day!

If your alpaca is halter trained, leave the halter on when travelling. In an emergency situation, it is easier to clip on the lead and control them. (Another good reason to train alpacas that have to travel!). But never tether an alpaca by its halter in a moving vehicle. They do have expensive necks.

Transport insurance for alpacas does exist, but I doubt it will cover inappropriate methods of transport. Who wants to find out anyway? Just drive safely and keep to the speed limit.