Raising alpacas is much more than a business for members of Northern Nevada’s Silver & Gold Alpaca Alliance. Known for their intelligence and curiosity and prized for their soft fleece, alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984, according to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association. Current estimates indicate there are more than 120,000 registered alpacas with the Alpaca Registry, Inc. Alliance members will welcome guests to join them for many activities, including meeting the alpacas, handling their shorn fleece, viewing some of the products that can be made from their fleece, watching a spinning demonstration and learning about the tax advantages of owning alpacas. Kay Rodriguez, who owns the Lazy K Ranch in Reno with her husband Ed, said alpaca owners in the alliance are very protective of their animals and have very strict standards concerning to whom they are sold.

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