HespeGarden

Options, Decisions and Circumstances

Have you tried to sell your animal(s) with no success?
Change of life issues or economic difficulty making it difficult to take care of him/her/them?
Sold off your flock of sheep and no longer have a need for a guard?
Just don't want the responsiblity of being tied down to taking care of him/her/them any longer?
The novelty has worn off?

To be clear, HespeGarden is not a "dumping ground" for those that have a excess of a certian gender and have not attempted to sell them first....for a minimum of 6 months after being weaned. We too have limited space & resources and kindly request that breeders geld non-breeding males and stop the cycle in your own paddocks. **

**This does not mean that HespeGarden will not accept multiple intact males from a single source within reason. It merely means that we would like others to take a vested interest in preserving a suitable gene pool for future generations of camelid owners/breeders.

What ever the reason may be, I always empower folks to try to find a home for them before considering relinquishment. This allows the opportunity to interview potential owners and gain a sence of trust in where they may be headed.

First Step: Decision & Contact

Once an owner decides to rehome an animal(s) to HespeGarden, formal contact must be made. This may be done in several ways, and is completely up to the individual.

Email: leona@hespegarden.com or info@hespegarden.com

Contact Me Please Form

Tel. 802-522-8044

What to expect from the initial contact

We will make the best possible effort to contact you within 24 - 48 hrs of your original attempt. Life on the ranch can be hectic at times, so we do ask for your patience if it takes slightly longer.

A company representative will talk with you to discover what brings you to HespeGarden and what has lead up to the decision to part with an animal or herd. All parties will be treated professionally and with the utmost respect at all times. No exceptions!

During this conversation, we will ascertain any potential issues such as poor health, old age, behavior malady, etc. This will enable us to better prepare for the potential needs of individual animals.

After speaking with a company representive, a HespeGarden Relinquishment Agreement & Intake Information Form will be sent for review and consideration.

Second Step: Collection & Transport

Once all questions have been answered satisfactorly and all parties are in agreement; it's time to get the ball rolling.

A date & time will be scheduled for HespeGarden to collect & transport animal(s).

Transport may take place with in days after the owners decision has been made or within a few weeks.

Factors that may influence timing of scheduled pickup could be: # of animals being transported, health & well being of animal or owner, emergent physical conditions, significant weather events, inablity of owner to feed, water, or properly maintain animal(s), etc

On or before the collection date, the relinquishing party will be required to sign two original Agreements in the presence of a notary. (Company personnell are valid notaries ) One Original shall be provided to the relinquishing party and HespeGarden.

The animals shall be haltered, given a preliminary examination and then loaded for transport.

Once an alpaca or llama arrives at HespeGarden...

they are placed in Quarantine for a minimum of 30 days. There are some cases that remain in this phase longer than this minimum period. The following chart maps the progression of animals rehomed to HespeGarden.

Quarantine Phase	While in the Quarantine Phase animals are evaluated for health, behavior, wellbeing, and overall strengths & weaknesses. During this time, Lee will work with animals individually to gain trust, earn respect, and get them as close to perfect health as physically possible. Our Vet may be called to offer further assistance and gelding takes place once animal health allows. We partner with the State of Vermont Department of Agriculture, therefore Lee is in continual communication with the regional Animal Welfare Specialists. There a some animals that may reside in Quarantine Phase for much longer than thirty days. As camelids are very social creatures, we respect that companionship is a requirement during this Phase.	Bio-security is taken very seriously on our Ranch. We want to protect all animals under our charge as well as the land & our neighbors. We do not take this responsibility lightly.
Evaluation Phase	Once it's deemed that an individual animal is healthy and behaviorally fit to begin the process of herd integration, they will be moved into the Separation Paddock Area or be assigned to a to an approved volunteer experienced Camelid Handler. There is no time constraint on when an animal may leave this Phase. The decision is solely at management discretion. The animal will be observed and evaluated. Animals are individually evaluated to determine suitability for placement (adoption) or integration into the Liberation Herd.	We are committed to re-home all animals that we deem to be good pets, companions, or guards. With that being said, we do not re-home animals that are aged, have special needs, behavioral issues or cases of severe neglect. Again, we do not take this responsibility lightly.
Adoption	It is most desirable to find good, loving homes for animals that arrive on our Ranch. Not everyone wants to be a breeder or fiber person. Some folk just want the companionship of these incredible creatures. HespeGarden has a strict NON-BREEDING policy. All males are gelded. Any intentional or unintentional breeding of a HespeGarden female will be viewed as a breach of contract and will result in HespeGarden reclaiming said animal AND any offspring. We list all our suitable pets, companions,or guards on Petfinder.com	Once an animal is placed in a suitable home, HespeGarden will visit once a year (in early spring) shear & clip toe nails and make sure necessary shots are being administered. This is a Mandatory Annual Visit to ensure animals welfare is being maintained. Absolutely No Exceptions will be made.
Operation Liberation Herd	Animals that comprise this unique herd must earn their keep but providing pellets (manure) to supply our naturally produced soil enhancers. Our original herd of llamas & alpacas also make up this group.	A healthy animal produces incredibly nutrient rich pellets which ensures our ability to offset operating overhead and fund sancturay operation.