How Much Does It Cost to Keep Alpacas?

The price of one alpaca is the smallest part of the budget. You need at least three, land for them to graze, a shelter, and a yearly round of shearing, vaccinations and routine care that doesn't shrink because they're pets rather than breeding stock.

Buying: at least three

Alpacas should be kept in groups of 3 or more (British Alpaca Society), so multiply every price by three. In the UK, the marketplace Pets4Homes says prices typically run from about £200 for older alpacas to about £2,500 for high-quality animals, and that wethers (castrated males, the usual pets) generally cost £500–750 each. Three wethers would be about £1,500–2,250.

US prices vary widely with fleece quality, colour, conformation and breeding potential. We haven't found a breed-society price guide, so compare current listings from several sellers before deciding what's fair.

Setting up

• Land: roughly half an acre to an acre for three (see how much land alpacas need).
• Fencing: four-foot stock netting is usually suitable in the UK (British Alpaca Society); US extension guidance suggests 4–5 ft.
• Shelter: big enough for the whole herd (see how much shelter space an alpaca needs).

Every year

The British Alpaca Society lists these as routine for every alpaca:

• Shearing, which it calls essential for good welfare.
• Nail trimming, on average two to three times a year.
• Teeth checks at least twice a year.
• Worming, guided by faecal tests or routinely every six months.
• Vaccination against clostridial diseases, discussed with your vet.
• Vitamin A, D and E supplements in winter, plus a daily mineral or vitamin supplement.
• Hay all year round, and more of it when grass runs short.

Prices for these vary by area and by provider, so get quotes from a local shearer and a vet who sees camelids. The BAS points owners to the British Camelid Veterinary Society to find one.

Put your own numbers in

The cost of keeping calculator adds feed, a vet allowance and other costs for your herd. Its vet allowance for alpacas is an editable starting figure, not a quote, so change it to what your vet charges. For feed quantities, see how much an alpaca eats per day.

Sources: British Alpaca Society, Routine care, Husbandry and Care & Welfare; Pets4Homes alpaca listings. Sources checked: October 2026.

Common questions

How much does an alpaca cost to buy?

In the UK, Pets4Homes says alpacas typically range from about £200 for older animals to about £2,500 for high-quality ones, with wethers (castrated males) generally £500–750. US prices vary widely with fleece, colour and breeding potential, and we haven't found a breed-society price guide.

Why do I have to buy three?

The British Alpaca Society says alpacas are herd animals and should be kept in groups of 3 or more, so every cost is multiplied by at least three.

Do alpacas need shearing every year?

Yes. The British Alpaca Society says shearing is essential for good welfare as well as for harvesting the fibre.

What does routine alpaca care involve?

Daily checks, nail trimming two to three times a year, teeth checks twice a year, worming guided by faecal tests or every six months, clostridial vaccinations, and vitamin A, D and E in winter (British Alpaca Society).