Alpaca legislation on husbandry practices

www.pir.sa.gov.au/factsheets

FS 01/06

Alpacas - the impact of legislation on husbandry practices

Elena Petrenas and Andrew Curtis in conjunction with the South Australian Alpaca Advisory Group

Alpacas are easy low maintenance animals to keep, compared to other livestock species. This does not however preclude managers of livestock from ensuring that appropriate husbandry practices are used to maintain the welfare and well-being of alpacas.

Management practices required to maintain healthy alpacas include, but are not restricted to, maintaining their nutritional requirements, shearing, toenail and teeth trimming, parasite (internal and external) control, disease control, wound management and reproduction issues.

In South Australia, four pieces of legislation directly affect the husbandry practices carried out by livestock owners. These are:

Controlled Substances Act 1984

• Which defines who is allowed to
administer drugs. 

Livestock Act 1997

• Which defines disease management
practices. 

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985

• Which focuses on the welfare of
animals. 

Veterinary Practice Act 2003

• Which defines who can perform various
husbandry practices and procedures. 

 
Copies of these pieces of legislation can be accessed from the internet on
www.sacentral.sa.gov.au.

The regulations of the Veterinary Practice Act cover three broad categories of responsibility for estock husbandry and management:

Veterinarian Only

These procedures are illegal to be performed except by a
registered veterinarian. 
Under Veterinary Supervision

This definition can mean that either a procedure is performed
by the owner while a veterinarian is present, or it can mean
when a veterinarian dispenses a drug together with
instructions for administration by the owner.
 
Owner Responsibility

 This covers routine husbandry practices.

 
Examples of the types of husbandry practices that fall within these three categories are
provided as a guide. If in doubt, please consult your veterinarian.

Alpaca Husbandry Practices

The following is intended as a guide only.

Husbandry Practice

Owner
Responsibility

Under Veterinary
Supervision

Veterinarian
Only
Administering natural therapies

X
Anaesthetics

X
Applying external solutions (eg lice)

X

 
Boils/lumps/abscesses

X

X
Castration

X
Deliveries (births)

X

X
Ear tag Insertion

X
Extracting foreign bodies and
subsequent treatment

X

X
Faecal collection

X

X(1)
Injections:
• AntibioticsX
• ReproductionX
• Vaccination
• Vitamins
X
X
Shearing

X
Teeth trimming(2)

X
Temperature (rectal)

X
Toenail trimming

X
Ultrasound (own stock)

X
Umbilical hernias (3)

X

X

X(3)
Vaginal and rectal examinations

X


Note:

(1) Faecal collection for JD MAP testing must only be conducted by an accredited veterinarian.
(2) The grinding of teeth may be subject to restrictions in the future.
(3) A veterinarian must perform any surgical corrective action.

Disclaimer
Use of the information in this Fact Sheet is at your own risk. The Department of Primary Industries SA and Resources and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein in terms of its suitability, correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise. The entire risk of the implementation of the information which has been provided to you is assumed by you. All liability or responsibility to any person using the information is expressly disclaimed by the Department of Primary Industries and Resources and its employees.

For further information phone (08) 8207 7900, or any office of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia.  Information may be used with acknowledgement.  ISSN 1323-0409 01/06