Safe Haven Llama & Alpaca Sanctuary & Adoptions, Inc.

Serving Montana & the Northwest Region

The Scoop on Llama & Alpaca Poop!! Bean Tea is just what plants need!! What are llamas & alpacas good for? History of Safe Haven Safe Haven Brochure Contact Us

SAFE HAVEN is a volunteer-run, donor-funded Sanctuary that: aids in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused, neglected, handicapped and abandoned llamas and alpacas provides humane care and compassionate treatment for all resident animals seeks suitable and permanent homes for all adoptable animals provides a permanent home at the Sanctuary for all llamas and alpacas deemed non-adoptable educates the general public, along with current and future llama and alpaca owners, on the benefits of ownership plus the proper care and treatment of these wonderful animals sells nutritious "Llama & Alpaca Poop" for gardens and "Bean Tea" for plants through local vendors which helps pay for food and medical care for the animals

UPCOMING EVENTS

With the weather warming up in the Bitterroot Valley, Safe Haven will attend many events to introduce the general public to our wonderful llamas and alpacas.  Please take note of where we'll be so that you can stop by and meet them yourself.

June 7th, 2011  1:00 pm  Darby Community Library in Darby, MT

Safe Haven wants to extend a special thanks to everyone who came to see us in Hamilton on May 18th.  The animals had a great time.  Be sure to read the article in Ravalli Republic if you didn't catch it the first time.

Attention Gardeners, Avid Green Thumbers and Fellow Horticulturalists!!!

Safe Haven is currently selling llama and alpaca poop for your gardens and house plants. Prices range from $8-$15 depending on the bag size and mixture.  Be sure to read the "Scoop on Poop" article for complete information regarding this amazing natural fertilizer.  All packaging utilizes recycled materials to ensure a green, earth friendly product.  Let us know when you would like to pick some up or stop by Caras Nursery in Missoula on 2727 S 3rd Street West.  Animeals even featured this prized fertilizer in its blog.  Check it out.

ABOUT SAFE HAVEN

Safe Haven is located in Corvallis, Montana, in the heart of the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Charlene Hakes began rescuing abandoned, neglected and abused llamas and alpacas in the early 1990's.  However, she did not formalize her efforts until March 2004 with the incorporation of Safe Haven Llama & Alpaca Sanctuary & Adoptions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Our animals are adoptable to approved homes for a fair and reasonable adoption fee. All animals must be able to be handled, be spayed or neutered, and have current medical care and grooming prior to adoption. Each animal has a different personality and temperament and will be screened and adopted out according to the task to which it is best suited. Adopters will also be screened, which will include adoption forms, a thorough interview, a house call, and interactive training.

As a sanctuary for posterity, it is our purpose to see that these animals are no longer discarded because of people’s unwillingness to be educated, because of falling out of fashion, or because of over-breeding. We are here to be fine shepherds to these beautiful, intelligent creatures and we will keep only their best interests in our minds and hearts.

Safe Haven is totally volunteer and donation dependent organization. Growing at a rate of 15-20 animals annually, we constantly seek and welcome qualified adopters, sponsors and partners, plus monetary donations and contributions of essential resources. We are always open to new ideas, partnerships and educational opportunities, so please contact us if you have an idea or project that we could explore and make happen together!

ABOUT LLAMAS & ALPACAS

Llamas and alpacas are not classified as small animals like dogs or cats, nor are they thought of as large animals, such as horses or cattle. They are, however, considered to be livestock. The present situation is that many of these intelligent, sensitive creatures have been discarded as of no worth, due mainly to the lack of human understanding. Once educated, many people find they are interested in owning llamas and/or alpacas.

Llamas are known for their packing capacity, their intuitive guarding abilities, and some especially enjoy strutting their stuff in parades! Lesser-known qualities include their ability to deter deer “visitations” and to provide companionship for other livestock that may be lonely or handicapped. If llamas are not placed with other compatible livestock, they must be adopted in pairs, as they are herd animals by nature.

Alpacas are primarily fiber animals. Some may exhibit guarding instincts, but because of their smaller size they do not defend themselves as well as llamas. They do, however, give an alarm call that can alert a herd of animals and their human caretakers of danger. Alpacas are sensitive and family oriented, although are not suitable as pets. The adoption fee is higher for these magnificent animals, as their fiber, often compared to cashmere, commands a premium price. They also must be taken in pairs except under special, pre-approved circumstances.

Llamas and alpacas both contribute useful items for value-added consumption. While alpaca fiber may be considered more valuable, llama fiber is also easily processed into yarn, fine products and clothing. Both animals also generate rich, odorless manure that makes excellent fertilizer and a marvelous plant “tea” when dissolved in water. Safe Haven proudly sells manure, raw fiber, rovings, yarn, felting kits and finished fiber products, directing all proceeds to the welfare of our precious residents.

OUR LLAMAS & ALPACAS

Each of our Safe Haven residents has an interesting and unique life story. Often it is heartbreaking, but when a llama or alpaca is adopted to a good home, their story takes on a more heartwarming tone. Some of our residents will remain at Safe Haven for the remainder of their lives, as they have special needs or are simply too old to relocate. Others are temporary guests, waiting for the right caretaker to offer them a new, compassionate life experience.

We invite you to get to know some of our adoptable and permanent residents and to appreciate the depth and variety of their personalities. The following information offers you a brief insight into the individuality of these sensitive, curious and intelligent animals that have found their way to our sanctuary. This is just a sampling of the many llamas and alpacas we have rescued. Let us know if you would like to learn more about any of these animals and remember, you can easily sponsor or adopt your favorite one.

ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION

The llamas and alpacas that Safe Haven adopts are not free. We adopt them for a fee according to their skill set and training level. The adoption fees are $150, $300 and $500. The adoption fee supports the ongoing efforts of Safe Haven to care for and maintain the animals.

The adoption fee includes:

(NOTE: The value of above items is approximately $1000.)

Most of the animals that come to Safe Haven arrive with nothing.  Since we are a non-profit organization, we pay for all the feed, medicine and supplies needed for the animal’s well-being. Our current operating budget is roughly $5,000 per year.

Please click on the link for a list and photos of llamas and alpacas for adoption.  Please check back often as we are adding animals to the list.

SAFE HAVEN'S NEEDS

Safe Haven is a non-profit organization that operates with very small budget based on the number of animals at our facility. The success of the sanctuary is greatly impacted by the generosity of our donors.  Please see below for a list of the items that would help us to continue to provide the best possible care for the abandoned, neglected and abused llamas and alpacas we support.  Please let us know if you have any of the items you would like to donate.

Cash Donations for:

Hay, Feed, Fuel, Medical Supplies, Stamps and envelopes, and Manure sacks

Ranch Equipment:

50+ acres of land with barn and/or home

Pickup – newer for hauling animals

Pickup – for everyday ranch work

Riding Lawn Mower with attachments (cart and large blade)

Tractor with scoop, post-hole digger, backhoe, brush-hog

Office Equipment:

New computer, copier and fax machine

Paper, Stamps and envelopes

FRIENDS OF SAFE HAVEN

Safe Haven has benefited immensely from the friends and colleagues that helped us over the years.  As a token of our appreciation, we would like to list a few of them here so that others can benefit as well.

Going to the Sun Fiber Mill in Kalispell MT - Process our fiber after shearing

Mountain Colors in Corvallis MT - Dye our processed fleece

Quality Llama Products, Inc. in Lebanon OR - Provide llama and alpaca supplies

Woodland Woolworks in Yamhill, OR - Purchase dye and needle-felting equipment

Cow Poke Ranch Supply in Corvallis MT - Provide farm and ranch supplies

Animeals in Missoula MT

The Humane Society of the United States

Blue Mountain Veterinary Hospital - 4646 Buckhouse Lane, Missoula MT 59804

Burnt Fork Veterinary Clinic - 3682 Eastside Highway, Stevensville MT 59870