Instructions
Do research. There are plenty of websites and books available about llamas. Look for information specifically about care and feeding, the right kind of climate, and habitation size requirements. Ask current owners to give you insights into the ups and downs of llamas as pets.
Find out if any of your neighbors are selling llamas. Sheep farmers often sell llamas or can put you in contact with a vendor. Or check your local chamber of commerce for any llama sales locations.
See llamas in person. Pick out one you like and spend some time with it to see if you are compatible. Talk to the llama nicely and rub it gently between the ears--if it'll let you. You can tell if the llama feels comfortable with you if it acts friendly toward you, perhaps making a soft humming noise. You can tell if it doesn't like you if it makes louder noises, gives you a bad look or even spits at you.
Make sure the llama is healthy. Check its fur for ticks and lice and check eyes for infection. If the eyes are red and draining, the llama may have an infection. Llamas are immune to some common diseases and conditions, but still require care and some veterinary services. Llamas may need vet care for a disease called enterotoxemia, or "overeating disease," types C and D, most often infecting the young. Llamas may also contract tuberculosis, Johne's disease, anthrax, malignant edema and tetanus. A reputable seller provides healthy llamas and the name of a nearby veterinarian.
Prepare a place to keep the llama at night. Since llamas are from the harsh mountainsides of the Andes, they are used to weather extremes, but you should still find a place that is free from drafts. A shed or barn that gives the llama room to stand and move a bit is necessary, and stray or hay for bedding. Llamas typically need grass or fields to graze and, as they are large animals, enough room to roam. To feed them yourself, you will need bromegrass, alfalfa or corn. For a proper diet, see a large-animal veterinarian or a farmer who keeps llamas.
Get approval for housing a llama from neighbors and city officials. Depending on the area, you may need a permit to own a llama. Also, a llama is a large animal, so make sure you have enough room to let it roam a bit.
How to Buy a Llama
Llamas usually aren’t the first animals you think of in terms of a pet, but if you’ve got a big yard for grazing and a roomy barn for a residence, llamas make loving pets, friends and guardians. In fact, llamas are naturally protective, which is why some sheep farmers get them to protect their flocks. They make a loud alarm sound, chase single predators away and even kill them to protect their homes. They also spit at undesirable trespassers. Large llamas are becoming more prevalent throughout the world, not just in South America. Find out how to buy one.