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If you don't rescue ...
DON'T BREED!
If you don't rescue ...
DON'T BREED!
If you don't rescue ...
DON'T BREED!
If you don't rescue ...
DON'T BREED!
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Classic llamas
ready for new homes!
We try hard to match llamas with appropriate
new homes, and won't sell if we are apprehensive about the situation,
or if the llama and prospective owner don't "click."
We certainly won't sell to someone who is in a hurry to purchase
or who wants to buy before learning the basics of llama care
and handling. Finally, because learning about and getting to
know the particular llama is a key ingredient in the future happiness
of both the llama and the new owner, we have no qualms about
weeding out shoppers who aren't interested in the small investment
of prepurchase visits to our farm.
Note: When we say "packer", we mean
just that: A llama capable of multi-day trips carrying at least
60-80 pounds in any type of weather and over any terrain that
a llama can negotiate. If you're only looking for a day-hiking
companion to carry lunches and jackets, most light-duty or limited-duty
packers will probably suffice; if you don't hike or pack right
now, do everyone a favor and just get a pair of well-trained,
older starter llamas. It's perfectly OK to get llamas as pets
and companions just because you like llamas and want some in
your life.
Experienced packers:
Experienced packers have multiple seasons
on the trail and do it all, including stringing and leading a
string.
-- none available at this time --
Green packers:
Green packers have at least one season on
the trail: more than started, less than experienced. Good for
people with llama experience who don't want to waste a year or
more on the hassles of training trips or risk that an untried
llama won't work out, but also don't want to spend the extra
money for an experienced pack llama.
-- none available at this time --
Started packers and pack prospects:
Although we don't sell totally untrained llamas
for the good of both llama and new owner, we will sell started
packers and, occasionally, pack prospects -- IF the buyer
has adequate knowledge and ability to finish the llama's training.
- All pack prospects and started packers halter,
lead, load, stand tied, tether, allow grooming, and allow their
feet to be picked up.
- Started packers' additional training achievements
vary, of course, but include familiarity with pack saddle and
panniers and at least some trail and obstacle negotiating experience.
-- none available at this time --
As with all
things, this section is subject to change . . . keep checking
back, or email lostcreekllamas@att.net
Pack breeding stock
-- none available at this time --
As with all
things, this section is subject to change . . . keep checking
back, or email lostcreekllamas@att.net
Pet/companions and light- or limited-duty packers:
The definition of light-duty and limited-duty
vary greatly. We've summarized each llama's specific limitations
here, and you'll find full disclosure of each llama's specific
limitations on their individual pages.
Pet/companion and light packer
available to the right home
Limitations:
Level ground and slight grades ONLY.
NO heavy loads or steep grades, NO harness work
(that means NO driving or "carting" or whatever you
want to call it)
Available in the near future:
Classic breeding stock female, age
unknown
(we will not commit to selling Rosie until she's passed screening
with the ILR)
Amiable companion; definite halter
and performance show prospect
NOT suited to packing (other than slow walks and lunch hikes)
or driving
(must be gelded before sale; don't even think about
asking to buy him intact)
Lifelong friends looking for a permanent,
nonbreeding retirement home
A 50% deposit will hold any of the
above animals until pickup or delivery.
Purchase two or more llamas and receive
a 10% discount.
Video footage is available on request
for any llamas listed
as "currently available" or "available soon."
A deposit of 20% or $250 (whichever is less)
will hold any of the "available soon" llamas until
s/he is ready to leave us (that includes "pack prospects"
and "started packers" whom you'd like to purchase after
their training has been completed). We do not accept deposits
on llamas until they have reached approximately three years of
age, but we will place your name on a waiting list on a first-come,
first-served basis so that you won't lose out on a specific animal.
Occasionally we will have two animals for
sale that are close friends, or a llama that has special requirements
to be happy. Because llama happiness is much more important to
us than anything else, such a llama (or specific pair of llamas)
will have a very substantial discount noted on his or
her page to facilitate his/her/their ideal placement.
Want to read the fine print? Here it is ...
A bit about pricing,
guarantees,
and the "extras" that are STANDARD with our llamas
What we DO and DON'T sell
Ideas for you if we don't have what you're looking
for
Rescue llamas
We've stopped fooling ourselves that we can
keep every llama we meet (although it did take a while). We've
also learned that no matter how much we care for or like a particular
llama, sometimes ours is just not the very best home for him
or her. As part of our rescue work, we occasionally have retired,
rescued, or rehabilitated llamas that need homes of their own.
And, of course, the point behind producing superior pack llamas
in a market flooded with generic llamas is that there IS
a demand for high-performance pack llamas -- a demand that can
only be met with llamas bred for the task. It follows that part
of the choice to breed superior pack llamas includes the choice
to make at least some of them available for sale when they are
mature, trained, and proven.
When we and the llama know the home is right,
our happiness for the llama largely overrides the inevitable
sadness of saying goodbye to a friend.
Return to Lost Creek
Llamas home page
This page last updated on 06.14.2008
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