12/3  Dick Williams, long time RMLA librarian passed away.  The library will be closed until it finds a new home.

12/4  A year-end acknowledgement letter can be written for in-kind donations to a non-profit such as SWLR. The description is included but not the value amount as that is filled in by the donor.  baxter can send a blank that volunteers can fill in for themself or other contributors they know.  Monetary donations over $250 will receive a year-end tax deduction letter before January 31.

12/8  Keith in New Zealand sent a donation through PayPal with a note that said "We have a couple of llama shows over here in New Zealand and this was what my llamas won for me in our recent 'virtual' show. They are also very pleased to be able to assist your work over there."

12/11 Discussion about Hibiclens continues with Jonna saying she is happy using it and Scott taking issue with the alcohol causing pain in an open wound, Nina also expressed concerns about how it is used.

12/14 AmazonSmile earned SWLR $90.07 for the last 3 months.

12/14 baxter called for summaries of the past year's contributions of time, talent, funds for use in year end reports.

12/16 Rosemary is looking for homes for 8 alpacas in Littlefield, Texas. She was contacted by a man who was paid for his work by the unloading of 8 alpacas that he does not want.

12/20 baxter shared a happy holiday story:
Three females were adopted to a family south of here last year. The llamas are often taking part in community events in the small town. The llamas were in Christmas events and Halloween neighborhood walks. All 3 were rescues & herd mates (probably related) from animal control and were trained here in Kerrville by all of us volunteers. I love to hear these kind of stories as it encourages all of us to keep on doing what we do.  It takes a village. ==================
from the family: Baxter Bobbie Jean is all dressed up for her role in the nativity scene at our local market day. She's not a camel, but she is a camelid......close enough. Lol. ... the family that runs the market day so fell in love with Bobbie's sweetness that they want to adopt. I'll send them your way once they build some structures. Bobbie has the best personality for community interaction. She so loves the attention. And Moana, oh my gosh. She is sooo nosey to the point of hilarity. lol To my great surprise, Moana has become quite loving. Christina is still the baby but is super sweet too. I love my girls to the point that Billy and I are looking for a house on more land so that we can foster someday. I'll keep you posted.

12/27  Southwest Llama Rescue is registered thru iGive. If you buy from any of the over 2000 stores thru iGive, some money can go to your designated charity (such as Southwest Llama Rescue). Chewy & Lands End & 1-800-PetMeds & 1-800-PetSupplies are a few of the stores!   For example, if you designate Southwest Llama Rescue as your charity, then order from Chewy thru iGive.com, SWLR will receive 2.4%. If you register and try it, please let us know if it worked well for you. This is one way you can donate to SWLR at no extra cost.

11/2  Lynda reported that she picked up Pat Little's last two lamas, Frick and Frack GMs and got them adopted to a man in Corrales, NM where he also has Elvis, GM and the three are happy.

The person in Florissant, CO looking for a home for three intact males has sent them to another animal sanctuary.

11/6 Susi told us of her new email - Llama.susi.sinay@gmail.com

11/10  Lynda reported that Pepper, the llama injured by dogs last month is doing well.  Though the staples did not hold and all rotted off, regular cleaning and antibiotics are keeping her on the mend.  The wound has shrunk considerably though she will have a scar on her bum.Thank goodness fly season is over.  The vet will be back on Thursday to check on everyone.  Perrper is an excellent llama and the matriarch of the Aspen herd. She deserves to be with her herd and continue to look over them - they all look to her.  Lynda will be hard pressed before I separate her from her charges.
Stuart suggested Manuka honey on a gauze dressing and changed every few days.
Jerry of El Dorago Honey said, "While I would argue that it doesn’t have to be “Manuka”,, (RAW is the key), honey is an excellent anti-bacterial healer.  I use it all the time on various animals and humans!"
Rosemary told us to try, "Underwoods Horse Medicine.  You just spray it on, sprinkle with baking powder then spray again.  No wound cleaning or anything else.  It is amazing stuff.  We were introduced to it by our vet when our horse impaled himself on a gate post.   He barely has a scar and the wound healed without any problems.   Fingers crossed for Pepper and Kova."
Jonna has a good friend with a PHD in Pharmacology, and also a certification to compound animal meds.  She put Honna on to using Hibiclens for cleaning wounds as some of the other cleaners/scrubs can actually damage the sticky in the cell and assist with degradation of the tissue.  Hibiclens is supposed to be OK to use at any time, and even if it's left on. Please ask your vet about the product if you should consider to use it. It works well for her and she no longer uses any other product to cleanse with.  Jonna als says honey is wonderful. She started using it on rescue horses that got river rot due to exposure to contaminated waters from hurricanes.  If you ever have to decontaminate any llamas, feel free to contact Jonna.  Shecan give you details of what we have used, and also what the FEMA vets in the AWR classes have taught.

11/12  Lynda said she has been using a weak solution of Betadine and syringe squirting it over the woulnd and finishg it with Vetericin.  There is no more pus and the vet liked how it looked - it's healing well.

11/13  baxter posted before and after photos of Parker who arrived with a huge skinless area.  She tried honey but it was hard to keep clean as the area could not be bandaged.  She used chlorhexidine solution, diluted to barely blue at first daily and then often.  After a few months the wound is not noticeaable and Parker has been adopted.

11/13  Nina gave us a quick tutorial:  Hibiclens is chlorhexidine gluconate and alcohol. It is a skin cleanser only.  It is not to be used on scrapes, cuts, and certainly not open wounds.  It can cause severe pain, severe itching, redness, blistering or peeling, swelling or skin rash, severe skin irritation. You can see by the ingredients that you wouldn’t leave it on an open wound and how painful it would be.  Read up about Hibiclens.  Not a neutral agent for wounds.
Honey has been a proven wound healing agent. But there are different types of wounds and different types of  healing agents needed.
How you perform the wound care is also important.

11/18  baxter forwarded to the list an emal from Nina detailing a situation she is trying to help:
I have been emailing with a woman who has a 10 year old male who is ill and not getting up. She is about 6 hours north of me and she is getting snow. She doesn’t have any shelter. She pulled a “shelter” over him but this could be a tarp type shelter. I suggested getting straw bales to keep him warm and cover him with blankets.  Do you get snow?  What do people do in snowy areas with down llamas? I don’t get snow here and have a barn and shelters for everyone. What do you suggest I tell her to keep this llama warm? She is at 4,000 ft elevation and I think kinda out in the woods. I am doubting that this llama is going to make it and then hope that she will ok release of the 2 females she has. This has to happen soon before roads close. None of the llamas are halter trained.
baxter added that Nina gave the best response you can which is bales and blankets. Firstchoice is to
get help to move llama to shelter. 2nd choice is to put shelter around the llama. Blocking the wind
is the best. Snow is not as bad as the freezing icy wind. Thank you for helping this woman with her
llamas.
Nina said she
just heard back from the woman. She said it has now been 4 weeks since llama has been down. Rain had seeped under straw getting him wet. Vet came out yesterday. Thought was he has cancer. Decision was to put him down. She said she is going to try to halter train the remaining
2 females to make them easier to place. Nina told her she has a home for the females now or when she
is ready.

11/19  Amanda wondered why the llama wasn't put down earlier to avoid suffering.  The situation was complicated as the llama was 6 hours from Nina and sometimes the cure can be as simple as a transfaunation.  Proper diagnosis is key.

11/20  baxter reposted her fair activity list (available in the group files section) and wondered how any of it could be done during the pandemic.  Virtual? Any Christmas virtual activities? Or plan now for the Earth Day fair or other fair in your area? The brochures/biz cards need updating. There may be more up to date links for llama images to color. Have any of you done needle felting? Other activities using llama wool?
Nina suggested writing articles for newspapers/magazines about SWLR and being a volunteer for SWLR and how the pandemic has affected rescue.  This could reach a large group of people, educating them and informing them that tax deductible donations aare needed.

10/1  A reminder from Rhondi Church Smith of Olympic Peninsula Llama Alpaca Rescue:

We always need to realize when animals are surrendered, their owners cared enough to realize they need more than what they are giving and they reach out for help.
This to me, though some may argue, is honorable. We all usually will try our best, but knowing when your best isn't enough, I believe is compassionate....

10/1  Nancy H. adopted Senora #563 after fostering her for about a year. Nancy is expanding her llama foster activity and will take in the excess llamas from Lynda Liptak who now has 14 llamas. Lynda will assist Nancy with her set up and llama training.

10/4  SWLR volunteers, Alyson Gilman, Lynda Liptak, Eric and Lina Gustafsen, assisted by Kent Greentree, Robin Benton, Zephyr Rea, and friends of Alyson captured 26 llamas at a ranch near Fairplay, CO. We sorted out the only three females (one with a male cria) and loaded them up to go to Lynda's place, Llamas del Sol in Albuquerque, to be worked on by Lynda and prepared for adoption.

10/6  A woman in central Kansas emailed to ask for help.  Her husband passed away and she is in her 70's and can no longer provide the care she knows they need.  baxter passed it on to Ranee, the Nebraska coordinator.

10/12  A woman in north Texas is looking for some alpacas.  She sent an application and photos of the property.  Is someone working with her?

10/13  Lynda sheared two of the Fairplay, CO females and conducted ultrasounds to check pregnancy. She also gave them CD&T vaccines. Possible pregnancy with the mother who has a 4 month cria.

Ellen assigned Numbers to these intakes from Amanda:
•    Hazel, 5 years old female, mother Brown and white #564
•    Pipkin, 4 month old male cria brown and white -- misto. #565
•    Blackberry, 4 year old female black with white bracelets -- misto or huarizo. #566
•    Holly, 4 year old female all brown #567
10/13  Three Aspen llamas were adopted on 10/10 but returned on October 13 when their dogs went into the llama area and injured two of the llamas. The llamas were treated by the local veterinarian who described the injuries as superficial except for the cria who went into shock and was treated for two days at the clinic. Kova, 4 month old cria, was reunited to continue nursing at the insistence of Lynda and then all returned to Lynda for their care and recovery. The couple will not be adopting any llamas while they have dogs. The other injured llama was Pepper who now has staples on her left hind quarter. Staples will be removed about October 27.
10/16  Robin Benton helped with a recent pickup of llamas organized by Lynda and Alyson & Eric and has offered to help with the Colorado llama/Alpaca Rehome group.
719-651-7766
Llamarobin@gmail.com
Monument, CO

10/16  Lynda rescued three llamas surrendered in San Antonio, NM: Chewbacca is one of SWLR llamas, a gelded male; Cinder, a female, and Nutmeg, Cinder's brother, a gelded male. Lynda transported two female alpacas at the same time as a favor to  the alpaca owner to be boarded with Rhonda in Santa Fe. Cynthia donated alfalfa hay to continue the care of her llamas. Lynda traded away 80 bales to get 120 bales loaded, hauled, and stacked at her location.  Nancy H. in Corrales, NM is taking in additional llamas for SWLR and has taken in Chewy, Cinder, and Nutmeg. Cinder and Nutmeg need SWLR numbers assigned.

10/20  Jon and Christy Tecker have agreed to help coordinate in Nebraska & Kansas. They recently picked up 7 llamas being surrendered in Kansas. They have agreed to foster at this point until the llamas are vetted.
The llamas came from a recent widow who needed to move closer to family and away from her rural property.

10/21  Susan posted an ad for an audiobook on sale today for $1.99 from Chirp.  It is called Llama Drama and recounts two friend's 5500-mile bike ride through the Andes where they met llamas.

10/24  PayPal Giving Fund donated $77.00 to SWLR from generous donors who recommended SWLR.

10/30  L'illette Vasquez is settling to to RV on baxter's property.  She brought a gelding alpaca with her and he has joined the llamas.
Nicky Nelson also moved in to her RV on baxter's property.
3 old geldings moved from Pat's to baxter's transported by Nicky and L'illette who also moved some equipment to baxter's.

10/31  In October, Lynda received 7 requests from people looking for llamas, one from someone needing to rehome his wild intact male, Chico.  Maura Benton, Robin's daughter is assisting with the rehoming of Chico who has knocked some people down and needs a skilled handler.  She also picked up Pat Little's last two lamas, Frick and Frack gelded males and delivered them to and adopter in Corrales, NM where the owner also has Elvis, gelded male.  The three are happy.

10/31  Amanda notified us that Bea Bartle died recently.  She said many of her babies are being prepared for rehoming.

9/15  There are several llama related facebook groups that need moderators or even just someone to join the group and reply with info that SWLR can help. Would each of you join at least one facebook related llama group and monitor it or offer to moderate? One rehome group in your state would help.

There are alpaca/llama rehome groups that needs more members and moderators. Here are a few:
The Llama Group
Washington Alpaca Llama Rehome
California Llama Alpaca Rehome
Classic Llama Group
Oregon Alpaca Llama Rehome
Nevada Llama Alpaca Rehome
Utah Llama/Alpaca Rehome
(add more group names please)

9/15  A friend of baxter's, Julia Balinsky in Austin, has been mailing out llama print masks to volunteers with llama rescue. So if you get a small package in the mail from Julia, it is a gift from us. Julia is sewing masks to "save the world" one mask at a time. If you have not received a mask, send me your address and I will send to Julia. Stay healthy everyone.
The masks are wonderful and recipients are happy to have them.

9/25  A link to artwork for a llama magnet was posted.  It is at /Promo/llama-magnet-2.jpeg

8/3 A woman inquired about adopting  a white llama.  Rosemary spoke to her but she doesn't know of anyone near the inquirer.

8/12 Chela from Stillpointe Sanctuary is in need of donations due to Covid-19 and other health problems.  She is trying for grants but could use donations now for animal food and care.

8/19  Joy Pedroni lost her home and neighborhood to fires.  Fortunately the family and all llamas are safe.  Donations can be made through PayPal using her email - Joy@BlackCatLlamas.com  Nina offered ideas for feed for the llamas and offered her help.

Fire is also reported to be near Kris Paige in Colorado.

8/24  Joy reported that the llamas, alpacas and goats have been moved onto a flood irrigated, lush green pasture.  She, Ron, 8 cats and 4 dogs have moved into a small apartment above their work shop in Oakland.  She thanked everyone for their help both emotional and financial.

8/25  baxter reported receiving $81.26 from AmazonSmile for the 2nd quarter.

8/29  Pat received a $20 check to SWLR from Network for Good.

7/5  Lynda is trying to find a retirement home for a much older female in Walsenburg, Colorado.  She can be haltered and led. Krista suggested her home.  A young male also showed up in the same area.

7/6  L'illette reported about a llama who was abandoned 4 years ago when the owners couldn't catch him/her when they moved.  The llama has been wandering loose ever since.  This led to discussion about possible homes for it and needs for other llamas.

7/15  L'illette completed her move from California to Kerrville, Texas and is now helping with llama care at the refuge.

7/21  baxter has masks made with llama printed fabric, let her know if you would like one.  Also make sure your name, address and other contact info is in the files area or send it to Nancy Fox.

7/31  Carolyn sent a truckload of fiber to baxter for use in the felting project.

6/4  There was a short discussion about the difficulties of moving up to 100 llamas.  Hot weather brought the question of loading in the dark but it was pointed out that llamas are uncomfortable moving around in darkness.  Better to load in the daylight and drive at night.  More volunteers were being recruited to help and a call was put out for donations of halters.

6/7  A gofundme page was set up to help  with the costs of taking in up to 100 llamas.

6/9  Alvin Andrews  joined the group and told us she is researching grants to defray the cost of the west Texas group.

6/10  baxter is looking for information about setting up a toll free number for SWLR and CRC that could be forwarded to different people, such as a monthly rotation.  A website was suggested as a source for information https://800-numbers.choosewhat.com

6/12  A man reported that the 2 llamas he adopted are very excellent llamas.  He wrote a story about them that was published in Pack Animal magazine.

5/5  baxter shared information she gives to new owners that do not have experience or a close mentor and asked for additions to the list.
•    There are several good websites with llama information that are maintained by either the rescue groups or llama owners. Www.SouthwestLlamaRescue.org, www.SoutheastLlamaRescue.org are two of the rescue group websites.
•    There are associations for llamas/alpacas that are worth joining just to get the free library use. The library includes videos by trainers such as Bobra Goldsmith, Cathy Spalding (Gentle Spirit), and Marty McGee Bennet (Camelidynamics.) An internet search will show some of the information available by these gentle trainers as well as equipment to help with the training such as halters, leads.
•    RMLA www.RMLA.com Rocky Mountain Llama & Alpaca Association
•    SCLA www.SCLA.us South Central Llama Association (mostly Texas)
•    LANA www.llamainfo.org Llama Association of North America
•    The book Caring for Llamas & Alpacas by Claire Hoffman DVM is worth the price and available from Rocky Mountain Llama Association at their website. Dr Fowler has a field guide for llamas and alpacas that is very good also.
•    Llama/alpaca halters/leads from a llama/alpaca supplier or trainer (horse halters do not fit and are too heavy). Some suppliers are- Quality Llama Products, Useful Llama Items, Rocky Mountain Llamas, Camelid Dynamics by Marty McGee-Bennett, and Sopris. Please purchase the cross or X type halter.
•    Loose minerals are preferred and are available from Stillwater Minerals. Salt and mineral block is minimal.
•    There are several active Facebook groups related to llamas, alpacas, and rescue. SWLR has one that is for volunteers. Ask about that one if you are interested.
•    There is a Facebook group devoted to Llama Training and Care to join for info. Also a national (international really) listserve of llama owners called llama-info. The list has lots of very experienced and new llama owners. To subscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://llama-info.net/mailman/listinfo/llama-info_llama-info.net or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to llama-info-request@llama-info.net
Susan suggested a list of shearers and Nina said some shearers post their calendar online but only recommended shearers should be passed on to new owners.  Olin recommended 2 shearers:  Tabbethia Haubold, Long Island Yarn and Farm (used to be LI Livestock Company), http://www.lilivestockco.com/, covers much of the northeast.
Judy Glaser, Rockwood Llamas, https://www.llamanation.com/alpaca-services/03_viewservice.asp?name=10040, covers much of Colorado.
Susi highly recommended http://llamashearing.com/
Scott suggested llamahardware.com for gear and offered a primer on halters and said minerals are better tailored to your region.  Nancy added contact information for the nearest coordinator or a link to the coordinator page on the website and mention of the useful links page.  Nina offered her website for a list of resources.  Kim added a list of vets by state would be helpful.

5/5  baxter's farm is quarantined due to a nearby breakout of Covid-19.  Most of the llamas left are untrained or very old.  She has more applications for alpacas and llamas than are available right now.  4 females have pending adoptions and are waiting for transport arrangements.  Vet service is limited at best.

5/7  baxter gave us a heads up that llamas are on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah tonight.

5/11 Ranee posted photos on the Facebook page showing the cart outing they took on Mother's Day.

5/14  Rain #534 and Lily #535 left for their new home today.

5/14  A meat processor with a heart declined to "process" a great old, gentle llama.  SWLR picked him up the same day the call came and he will live out his remaining years loved by volunteers in a foster home.  He has been shorn and vetted and named Robert E. Lee, the name of the man who called.

5/16  SWLR received a donation check for $284 from Benevity Community Impact Fund.

5/17  All of the Jefferson herd llamas that baxter was fostering have new homes as of this morning.  Amanda has some of the herd at her farm and needs help with them.  Help is being organized but Mandy said this is not urgent but needs to happen.

5/17 Lynda reported the adoption of Chewbacca or Chewy #558, a black gelding.

5/18  Jan is taking on the job of membership coordinator.

4/3  Thanks to donated alpaca wool the first sample mat in Texas has been made.  It's a pilot fundraising project using waste llama/alpaca wool promoted by Matter of Trust.
Please save your llama/alpaca fiber that you would normally throw away. Project in the works for needle felting fundraising. Shear on a tarp or clean enough surface if possible, Collect in bags for later when the collection can be arranged. Thanks so much. More details as this project develops.

4/8  Adoption process if you are fostering llamas for SWLR.

Note that SWLR does not adopt out single llamas or llamas for breeding.

Process is:
1) folks who want llamas fill out application which is on website.
2) you (or whoever coordinates the adoption) call or email them or somehow verify that the info on their application is correct (farm check?). Upload the application to the groups.io site.
3) have them sign two copies of the adoption agreement that says non-breeding. You (or whoever coordinates the adoption) sign as a representative for SWLR. Give the folks some health records if you have them or at least the latest info on the vaccinations. Give the folks a copy & you keep one. Upload the adoption agreement to the groups.io site.
4) you (or whoever coordinates the adoption) arrange transport or let them come pick up the llamas. If they don't have a trailer, you could transport but ask for gas to be paid or some reimbursement in gas.
5) collect a check for $200 each llama written to SWLR and send to the treasurer.
6) notify the registry volunteer (Ellen Jackson) that the llamas have been adopted and send the adoption contact to her.

4/10  baxter is looking for someone to help by contacting the ranches that are scheduled for shearing soon in Texas to ask them to save the wool for the felting fundraising project? Nina sent me a calendar of ranches on the shearing schedule.
Nina added that the shearing in Texas at mostly alpaca ranches started last week and this. Many ranches this week are in baxter’s area that had shearing Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. They seem to be within 22 miles. Is there an alpaca group that can help coordinate gathering fiber from local ranches?    baxter has her hands full with SWLR and this new felting project is adding onto her workload. Anyone who could assist with getting fiber to Baxter will make this project successful which means funding to SWLR and  mats to help  contain oil spills.  Since this felting project is very laborious,  if you have any time to offer please let baxter know. There are many ways you can offer assistance to baxter and SWLR from your own home.
Susan offered to contact farms and said she had a list of shearers which she  suggested putting on Facebook or put it in the files.

4/10 Nina summarized the process for collecting wool for this project.
There are 3 needle felting stations in the US, along with the main hub in San Francisco. One in San Diego, one is baxter’s in Texas, and the other is mine in Petaluma, CA.  We are trying to collect fiber locally rather than send it cross country. Please help baxter, she really needs fiber. She doesn’t have time to put together lists of what ranches are in Texas or in the area. If I can find it online, so can anyone. There are alpaca associations in Texas. If someone looks up the member list in your area and contacts them, that would help. There are llama associations and lots of ranches in your area. If you will drive from your ranch to baxter, notify any ranch along the way that on this date you are driving their way and ask if they can get a collection of area ranches together. Or drop off along the way, so that each ranch only has a certain distance to drive.  Right now baxter only has one bag of fiber to work with and that might be gone.  Work as an alpaca/llama community and help baxter and SWLR.
Fiber can be any length. If you can separate primary/blanket cuts in bags, from secondary and leg/neck cuts in another bag. Please shear on a clean surface, no hard debris like toenail clippings, poop, insects, sticks, rocks, burrs, garbage.  If you blow out the animal first it is better for your blades and gets rid of a lot of debris. You do not have to wash it. If it is really matted it cannot be used, it won’t go thru the machine. Hard debris will break needles. We appreciate the sorting of fiber because if you don’t do it, we have to do it and don’t have help.
Besides the great benefit for recycled use of fiber, it also keeps the fiber out of the landfill or polluting the air if people burn it.  And you are donating to a non-profit…an all- around feel good project.
Thanks for contributing fiber to the project.

baxter added fiber can be any length at this stage. Cleaner is better. Today she sheared some and put the wool on a blanket and then into a clear plastic bag. The first pass or scrim can use 3 inches or longer as it forms the outside which is 24" wide. Then it is folded like a burrito with lofty shorter wool placed inside the folded scrim to be 12" wide. Right now we are making 12" by 24" mats. Longer may happen later.

baxter recapped the story of this project and posted pictures of the first mat which was made from the wool from Roxy, one of the really old llamas in her care:
Matter of Trust (MOT) is partnering with 3 of us so far for this project. MOT has a "clean wave" project that promotes using waste fiber for oil spill cleanup and storm drain cleanup. MOT wants to expand the clean wave project to use waste llama/alpaca wool in addition to the human hair and dog hair that MOT has been using.  MOT sent out  3 needle felting machines, 2 of which went to Nina Pederson and baxter, for this trial startup. Two machines are  in CA & one in TX.  The machines belong to MOT but Nina & baxter are allowed to use them to get the project started. The 5 yr long range plan is to have the felting machines near the source of the fiber in order to lower the carbon footprint of transport. This is a pilot startup project that Nina and baxter are working on with MOT. The plan is to raise funds for llama rescue as well as use waste fiber for environmental improvements.

The machines just arrived so we are still in the experimenting stages of making the mats, but will need more wool to experiment with and eventually make mats on a continuing basis.  More details will follow as more is known.

Nina added more details:
The mats are designed to specifics and for special purposes. When baxter states this is to raise funds, the mats are not being made to sell to the public.  Since last year I have been in talks with Matter of Trust, met with the CEO in their main office in San Francisco, had numerous emails/phone conferences with them, and now hours of labor with the new felting machine and sorting fiber. None of this is paid.  The hope is thru government contracts that Matter of Trust arranges, funding can come into SWLR as well increased awareness of the organization.  If you have real nice fiber and want it felted, there are mills that can do that for you. If you have fiber that you will not be using and/or want to donate it to a great cause and organization, contact baxter.  Last year, I called every llama association up and down the east coast and in the South about setting up more felting stations. No one was interested except for baxter.  What people said was, “I don’t have time”, and “will I be paid”.   So please help Baxter in any way you can with llama rescue, training llamas, donating fiber, picking up fiber, sorting fiber, helping with the felting, ranch chores. I’m sure she would appreciate anything. And of course, donations are always appreciated to SWLR.
You can go onto Matter of Trust’s website and view their clean wave program on hair mats.  www.matteroftrust.org
And more details:                                                                                                                                                We use llama and alpaca fiber that would be wasted by diverting it into making needle felted mats to soak up major oil spills and help keep storm drains and waterways clean.  This project was created by Matter of Trust, founder Lisa Gautier in 1998, a non-profit program. Their Matter of Trust Eco-Industrial Hub is in the heart of San Francisco. Their goal is to promote local waste fiber collection and situate felting stations wherever there are harbors, rivers, bays, or simple storm drains.  They have decades of research on the benefits of hair mats over use of synthetics.  The mats are made of human hair, dog clippings from groomers, and llama/alpaca fiber.
There are 3 felting stations in the US that are the first to be part of Matter of Trust’s pilot program making hair mats. They are baxter of SWLR in Kerrville, TX, Valerie O’Neil, (alpacas) of San Diego, CA, and Nina Pedersen of Rainbow Ridge Llama Ranch, in Petaluma, CA.
For more information on Matter of Trust and the cleanwave/hair mat program, go to matteroftrust.org  Contact baxter about helping her with the hair mat project at SouthwestLlamaRescue@yahoo.com
4/10 baxter just received a box of wool from Lynda Liptak that we can experiment with. Whoo hoo. She has some alpaca wool from a nearby alpaca ranch to experiment as well.
Folks can just save their wool to be picked up when the pickup points are organized. Eventually, the wool would need to be at the address below in Texas.

4/14  baxter wondered if needle felted shapes ( llama /alpaca or any shape) could be made then add a hole & a ribbon, and they could be used as an essential oil diffuser. The diffuser could be used for some of the essential oils for colds such as eucalyptus, thyme, frankincense. Anyone crafty out there? Has anyone done something like this?  Just feeling helpless here and wanting a way to help folks.
Nina said she has made felted balls with llama fiber and added a couple drops of essential oils, then thrown it in the dryer with her clothes. She has also have made needle felted hearts as gifts. She doesn’t know how it would hold the essence to use as an inhaler for a cold.

4/24 baxter sent 3 llamas off today to be guards for a new ranch with sheep.  Pictures of Mocha, Latte and Mika coming.

4/26 baxter posted notes from someone who had to give up their alpacas and the adopter.  Both were grateful for the help in putting the two together for this rehoming.  This was a happy ending.

4/30 baxter reported that 6 llamas were transported 04/29 from Kerrville to Tularosa. 4 females with a home lined up. 2 young males born at baxter's last year from rescue females. One male has an umbilical hernia and will need extra care. Males were getting amorous in Kerrville. <g>
FYI:
In NM & TX, Pat fosters males until adoption. Baxter fosters females & retired geldings or females. Lynda fosters females mostly. Some other foster farms in TX are thru SELR or CRC.

4/30  There was news that antibodies from llamas could help in the fight against covid-19.

3/3  What to use for biting and sucking lice brought several ideas.  L'illette said "Cylence (cyfluthrin) for both biting and sucking lice, horn and face flies. Topical application,3cc @ 3 weeks for adults; 1cc for crias; 2cc for yearlings. We've used it for many years without any problems at all.  And our vets have ok'd it for pregnant girls, elders and crias. We drop the 3cc dose (less for wee ones) down the spine, making sure it gets to the skin, from between the ears to the base of the tail. Repeat every three weeks."  Olin seconded the choice.  Susan said she uses it for biting flies.

3/17  2 rescued llamas need SWLR intake numbers. A gelding (old) and a female (part alpaca) were found loose on Hwy 160 near LaVeta, Colorado (Pat, Kent, is that right?). Both extremely thin. They have been taken to the vet and are being fostered them and getting them hopefully back to standard weight and health.

3/18  baxter and Nina introduced us to a new project with Matter of Trust that uses needle felted llama/alpaca fiber to create hair mats to aid in oil spill and storm drain cleanup.  It keeps fiber out of landfills, helps the environment and eliminates pollution from burning unwanted fiber.

3/18  Benevity just launched a public 1:1 matching campaign (up to $300,000) for donations made to your organization through our “We Are We” Giving Portal.  https://mygoodness.benevity.org/community/cause/840-201580766  SWLR will be grateful for any donations as we expect rescue requests to increase.

3/19 Someone is needed order "Caring for Llamas & Alpacas" books and have them sent to each of the foster farms to be given to new owners of rescue lamas.  Nina suggested that all the books be sent to the person writing thank you notes to send with the note.  Lynda suggested a purchase of 100 as she would like to get 20 for her needs.

3/27  baxter told us another great RMLA journal just arrived. Linda Hayes wrote a 1/2 page on using smile.Amazon.com to benefit SWLR. Thank Linda if you know her.  Linda also wrote an article about saving packing lama use in a national park. Kudos to all involved. Also, several articles about fiber are in the journal including an article by Kathy Stanko titled Selecting a Fiber Mill. Also, SWLR has an extra sized ad on page 11. Very kind of the editors.

Would you consider writing an article to RMLA editors for publication especially about rescue llamas? It could make a big difference in these difficult times.

Thank the editors if you are a member. Consider joining RMLA if you aren't.

3/31 baxter reported the rehome of 8 alpacas and a mother/daughter pair of llamas to each of two new homes.

2/4  L'illette shared an email regarding sponsorships for specific farm animals.

2/5  baxter shared photos of some of Rinda's retired packers.  The funds she left to SWLR are being used to care for them.

2/7 baxter has been working for the past two weeks to help an owner with health and financial concerns find homes for his alpaca herd.   She advertised in the Texas Llama/Alpaca Rescue Group on Facebook and received four good applications which she turned over to the owner and she gave the applicants owner contact information and surrender forms and non breeding agreement forms.  SWLR does not receive fees for rehomes.  SWLR sometimes asks for a donation but rarely receives any donations for rehomes. baxter can only recall one donation for $250 for 4 llamas with one that was pregnant so it became 5 llamas.

2/7  baxter reported that the year end reports for SWLR and CRC are completed and only waiting on some confirmations.  990 EZ for feds, NM Attorney General, NM Secretary of State done for SWLR. Camelid Rescue Coalition, Inc. reports filed with state of Texas.

2/9 baxter is busy halter and lead training various llamas and thanks to volunteers help they are ready for adoption.  Two llamas are supposed to go to their new home on Saturday, weather permitting.

2/15  A volunteer attended the Raz Exotic Auction in Harper, TX and said that 4 registered male alpacas sold for $300-$350 each, 2 female llamas sold for $225 each.

2/23  Two llamas left baxter's for their new home today.  They went to a really special home with young boys and fainting goats and lots of love for them.
Two other llamas went to their new home last week.  Wonderful home with lots of experience and other llamas to add to the herd.
All 4 were trained to halter/lead & went into the trailer very easily. Volunteers have been working with the llamas here and it made all the difference. The pairs were mother/daughter with the daughters being born here. Lots of hours in training and caretaking to get the llamas ready to go.
Adoption fees of $200 each.

2/27  AmazonSmile Foundation sent a check for $53.18 for activity between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019.  Use Smile.Amazon.com when you order and be sure to designate SWLR in Tularosa, NM as your charity.

1/5  Christina left this morning for her adoptive home.

1/5  A review of the adoption process was posted:
Adoption Process
Please do the process by email so there is a record of conversations. Facebook messenger or text message does not provide a good shareable record. Send an email copy to SouthwestLlamaRescue@yahoo.com for recording purposes.
Foster or sanctuary or coordinator (Lynda Liptak, baxter, Pat Little, other coordinators)
have potential folks fill out an application
verify the application with farm check or phone calls
match llamas to folks with preference to halter & lead trained
notify new folks of llamas available for adoption
emphasize once more that there is no breeding & to return llamas to SWLR if no longer wanted i.e. not to sell or give away llamas
complete adoption agreement 2 signed copies, 1 for SWLR, 1 for folks
copy any heath records on the llamas for the new folks
packet for new folks is health records and signed adoption agreement and any other info on llama
arrange transport timing
for transport, have llamas ready with halters & lead ropes & paperwork
collect adoption fees & send to treasurer with contact info on the new folks
notify registration volunteer (Ellen) to add the adoption folks names & contact info to register spreadsheet
follow up with phone calls or emails to make sure the transport went well and the llamas are adjusted to new home
Ellen Jackson (registry spreadsheet updates)
update registry spreadsheet with adopter's contact info
upload spreadsheet to groups.io
baxter, Treasurer
deposit fees
save info & deposit slip for accounting
send contact info & amount to Roberta Hahn to send thank you note acknowledgment
Roberta Hahn (donations fees acknowledgement)
send thank you note to new adopters
copy to SouthwestLlamaRescue@yahoo.com for recording purposes

1/5  baxter is short on time and needs help finding a source for good hay.  A lengthy discussion of hay types and where to find them ensued.

1/13  baxter reminded us that those who donated to SWLR and itemize deductions on their tax returns can request an acknowledgement letter.  A blank letter was supplied.

1/13 baxter is compiling statistics for the year to be reported on tax reports.
Lynda reported:
1) miles traveled with transporting
I traveled 3052 miles transporting llamas
2) how many llamas/alpacas were rehomed with your networking (not the same as adoptions)
I helped to rehome 4 llamas
3) how many llamas/alpacas were brought into rescue & fostered with you
I fostered 17 llamas in 2019
4) how many llamas/alpacas were adopted into new homes from your facility
Six llamas have been adopted from my facility
5) estimate of hours volunteered with SWLR during the year (can be a weekly estimate or total for the year)
which includes time spent talking to owners, emailing, research, posting on Facebook
I volunteered a total of 500 hours for the year
6) estimate of donated expenses that were not reimbursed by SWLR (items bought for fosters?)
I estimate $800 in expenses not reimbursed
7) what states were involved such as Idaho, Utah, including your own facility location
Utah, Colorado, New Mexico

baxter reported:
1) miles traveled with transporting 200 personal but paid transports of 3500 miles
2) how many llamas/alpacas were rehomed with your networking (not the as adoptions) estimate 5
3) how many llamas/alpacas were brought into rescue & fostered with you  estimate 38
4) how many llamas/alpacas were adopted into new homes from your facility estimate 10
5) estimate of hours volunteered with SWLR during the year (can be a weekly estimate or total for the year)
which includes time spent talking to owners, emailing, research, posting on Facebook -- 3000 hrs
6) estimate of donated expenses that were not reimbursed by SWLR (items bought for fosters?) pending amount (feeding/housing volunteers, water, electric, facility maintenance, etc, will be detailed by tax time) approximately $7000
7) what states were involved such as Idaho, Utah, including your own facility location Texas with travel to Colorado, New Mexico

1/13  Lynda wrote an article "Betsy Bell's Llama Legacy" that was published in the winter issue of the Journal of RMLA. Wonderful article.  baxter recommends RMLA and continues her membership of RMLA this year.   Also, Gayle Woodsum wrote the article 'Winding Road to a Higher Ground". baxter knows this writing takes time and appreciates the gift of their time & talent.  Thanks to both Lynda Liptak and Gayle Woodsum for taking the time to share llama stories.

1/14
Karen Conyngham has asked to be honored for her years of service to SCLA by asking for donations for SWLR. Email request from SCLA that also asked for our membership renewal:
If you know Karen Conyngham, please thank her and also thank Sue Leslie who is the current president of SCLA.
==============
"We are still accepting donations in Honor of Karen Conyngham, for all her years of  faithful service to SCLA and the greater llama community.  These donations will be sent to the SW Llama Rescue , to be used for care and rehabilitation for the many llamas that continue to come into the rescue.  These donations can be made via check or PayPal, please make a note on the payment memo."

1/19  The reports for the 2019 year are in progress.  So far, the Secretary of State of NM annual report is filed.  Names are listed for the exective board for 2020:  Pat Little, F. E. Baxter, Rosemary Metcalf, Cheryl Bradley, Lynda Liptak, Nina Pedersen, Ellen Jackson.

Thanks to all for serving. The administration is not always the fun part of rescue but necessary.

1/24  On the rehome Facebook group:  (Their website refers to SWLR website.
"when I looked at their website it looks like they are pretty strict and they have someone come out and inspect you property. And they want updates, assign you a “social worker” basically. I was thinking about adopting from them but don’t want to jump though a million hoops."  L'illette volunteered to contact the person to discuss.  Alicia always adds a person to the Do Not Adopt list when they insist that there be no facility check and they want to pick up the animals. Red flag.

1/14  baxter commented that SWLR does not compete with breeders.  Folks need to go to a breeder if they want alpacas or llamas to breed. Must not be clear somewhere.  Alicia said she keeps a list of breeders.  There are llama and alpaca breeders who do support rescue so when she get calls from someone wanting breeders, she refers them to the breeders on her list.

1/26  baxter is looking for a program that will save pdf forms to a word format without scrambling the formatting.  There were several suggestions and comments.

1/30  baxter posted a video to the SWLR volunteers Facebook page showing her working with Tarquin who is very reluctant to allow the halter strap to be passed around his head, probably because the only time he has been handled was rough and forced when he was brought to her.  She is working 5-10 minutes every day using his love of carrots to her advantage.  Sue wondered if baxter had tried Marty McGee Bennett's technique of holding the halter in front of the llama with a feed dish on the other side so the llama must pass his head through the halter to get the food.  Sue says it works beautifully.

1/31  baxter submitted her draft proposal of SWLR accomplishments for the 990EZ filing:  In 2019, over 10,000 hours were donated by volunteers to accomplish rescue and care, feeding, medical care, and transportation (over 8,000 miles) of over 200 llamas/alpacas. Over 20 llamas/alpacas were placed in permanent homes, or re-homed, or into permanent foster care. Over 60 llamas/alpacas are in temporary foster care. Area of rescue included most states in the western US.