If you’re planning a visit to Green Gable Alpacas, you might arrive with certain expectations.
Maybe you’re picturing a petting zoo. Or a quick selfie stop. Or the kind of place where you can pull in, hop out, and wander up to the fence to get a closer look, and take a couple of quick pics for your album.
And then you get here… and find out that’s not how it works.
You can’t pet the alpacas. You can’t wander the property. There are signs, and staff, asking you to stay back from the fences. You need to book a tour or check the calendar to see when drop-ins are available.
At first glance, some of that might seem strict or even a little unwelcoming. But if you stick around, you’ll discover that everything we do here is rooted in something deeper:
Respect. For the animals. For our space. And for the people who visit.
This isn’t a petting zoo, or a drive-thru attraction. It’s a working farm, a fibre studio, and a sanctuary, so to speak... for our alpacas and for the people who show up with open hearts, ready to slow down and truly connect.
Here’s why we do things the way we do... and why, more often than not, the people who weren’t sure at first end up saying:
“That was the highlight of our entire trip.”
Keep Your Hands by Your Side and Your Heart Wide Open
We’re clear from the start: Green Gable Alpacas is a hands-off experience.
This isn’t about rules for the sake of rules. It’s about creating a respectful environment where our animals feel safe, and our guests experience something deeper than just a pat on the fluff.
When you keep your hands by your side and your heart wide open, something special happens.
- You slow down.
- You start to notice. Really notice. The gentle hum of an alpaca, the flick of an ear, the raising of a snout, and the rhythm of the herd as they move together.
- You begin to understand that connection doesn’t always require touch... it can come from presence, patience, and simply being still.
That idea of slowing down is more than just a visitor experience... it’s the foundation this farm was built on.
Some of you already know my story: I never dreamt of becoming an alpaca farmer. I came here in the wake of unimaginable loss, to a place where I didn’t know anyone, searching for space to breathe. What I found was a herd of quiet teachers who asked nothing of me but stillness, consistency, and respect.
It turns out, that’s all they really want from our visitors, too.
Why We Don’t Allow Touching
Let’s make it simple: don’t touch the alpacas and... don’t touch the people.
We say it with a smile (and yes, we really do say it):
“You’re free to fondle anything in the shop—except the people!”
It's a little cheeky, but there’s a serious reason behind it.
Alpacas are prey animals. They’re wired to be cautious, deeply aware of their surroundings, and sensitive to personal space. Touch, even from someone familiar, often feels like a threat, not a comfort.
They don’t seek out physical contact. Not from strangers. Not from me (even though I’ve been feeding many of them their entire lives). And not even from each other.
If you reach toward them, they’ll instinctively back away. If you walk directly and purposefully toward them, they’ll move off. Because in their world, that’s an aggressive manoeuvre.
This is also why alpacas spit at each other. Contrary to popular belief, they don't normally or naturally spit at humans. They do, however, spit at one another... a lot. Why? Because one alpaca has gotten too close.
“Spitting means: back off, you’re not respecting my space.”
Alpacas rarely spit at people but they spit at each other all the time. It’s not about bad manners; it’s how they set boundaries.
Their entire social structure is built on reading and respecting boundaries. And when we model that same behaviour as humans, we earn their trust.
- They don’t enjoy being touched—even by people they know.
- They express trust through proximity, calm body language, and mutual curiosity.
- Respect comes first, and touch isn’t part of the equation.
Our hands-off approach isn’t about being unfriendly, it’s about learning to connect in a way that feels safe for them. And when you slow down and meet them on their terms, that connection becomes something far more meaningful.
Snacks Are the Icebreaker
One of the most exciting moments on tour is snack time (for the alpacas, not the people!) Our alpacas' current treat of choice? Carrots.
Visitors often get to offer slices of carrot to the herd, and the response is always different. Some alpacas will confidently step up to take a snack right from your hand (hello, Fiona). Others might observe from a distance, waiting until the coast is clear (we see you, Cherry!)
That, in itself, is a beautiful lesson: every alpaca has its own personality and comfort zone... and we honour that.
Maggie sharing a moment with Minnie P
Why You Can’t Just Wander
Occasionally, people drop by hoping to “just take a look” at the alpacas without joining a tour. We understand the curiosity, but for the wellbeing of our animals and the safety of everyone on site, we don’t allow unescorted visits.
We’re a working farm, not a drive-through attraction. And during a tour, we often have five or six vehicles here at once. That means limited parking, moving animals, active pathways, and people, including children, moving through spaces that weren’t designed for casual drop-ins.
We simply don’t have the infrastructure or staff to accommodate unscheduled wandering. More importantly, this is a business. People come here because we offer something special... and we believe the value of that experience should be honoured.
Whether it’s a guided tour, a workshop, or time spent in our shop, we ask visitors to participate through the proper channels. That ensures a smooth experience for everyone, and keeps our animals, our team, and our guests safe.
Want to see our alpacas?
Check out our Events Calendar to see when tours and drop-in experiences are available—we’d love to share our alpacas with you the right way.
Why We Ask You to Stay Back from the Fence
This one’s especially important.
We often ask people... especially those not on a tour... to stay well back from our fences, particularly the one near our female alpacas.
That fence line isn’t just a paddock. It’s a corridor that leads from the barn (where they feel safest) to their feeding area... and it includes the only shade trees they have access to. When visitors hang around too close, the alpacas won’t use that space.
That means they might skip a meal, avoid the shade on a hot day, or become stressed just trying to go about their normal routine. Again, we’re not being overly strict... we’re simply ensuring that our animals remain comfortable in their home.
It's not just a T-Shirt slogan
What Alpacas Can Teach Us About Boundaries
Learning about alpacas means learning to observe instead of assume. To wait for signs of trust. To connect on their terms, not ours.
It’s a bit like getting to know a new person. Some folks are huggers. Some aren’t. Some need time before they open up. And the best relationships? They’re built on listening, not rushing.
Wrigley taught us that the consequences of ignoring those boundaries can be profound.
Wrigley was our alpaca who had been inadvertently over-socialized with people. He lost his natural fear of humans, blurred the lines between play and dominance, and eventually became unpredictable and dangerous. Earlier this summer, we made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize him.
His story stays with us, and it shapes how we care for our herd. Respecting boundaries isn’t just about the moment you’re here. It’s about ensuring the long-term wellbeing of every animal we raise.
“Our choices today affect how our animals live tomorrow.”
Every guideline we follow, every expectation we set for visitors... is grounded in this belief.
That’s the foundation of everything we do. Every “rule” we have, whether it’s hands-off interactions, staying back from fences, or requiring tours for animal access... is rooted in this one truth.
We’re not raising pets. We’re raising prey animals with instincts, sensitivities, and social structures that deserve to be understood and honoured. When we put their comfort first—every day, with every visitor—we’re not just protecting their space. We’re protecting their future.
Each alpaca on our farm has a distinct personality. Some are bold, some are shy, some are downright nosy... but all of them thrive when we approach them with patience, clarity, and care.
So What Do You Get to Do on Tour?
- Walk among the herd (with plenty of personal space)
- Learn how alpacas communicate - through hums, ear flicks, posture and more
- Watch their herd dynamics in action
- Meet crias (baby alpacas) and hear their stories
- Feed carrots to the more curious members of the group
- Discover how we care for them, and how their fibre becomes yarn
- Ask all your questions. We’ve heard them all (yes, they do spit... sometimes)
You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of these incredible animals... and remarkably... you won’t miss the petting one bit.
Connection, Reimagined
At Green Gable Alpacas, we believe connection doesn’t require contact. It requires presence. Patience. Curiosity. And a willingness to meet animals (and people) where they are.
So no, you won’t leave with alpaca fluff on your hands.
But if you’re open to it, you might leave with something even better: a new perspective... and hopefully, a story you’ll tell for years to come.