2025/2026 Alpaca Owners Guide

Strengthening a Growing Industry

Alpaca Owners Association, Inc. (AOA)

T he North American alpaca industry formally began in 1988 with just 87 members and fewer than 400 animals. From those early beginnings, the industry has grown into a thriving community. In January 2014, the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association and Alpaca Registry, Inc. merged to form the Alpaca Owners Association (AOA). This created one unified national breed association to serve alpaca owners and farms across North America. Today, AOA represents alpaca owners across the United States and Canada. With around 2,000 active members and more than 290,000 registered alpacas, AOA manages the

world’s premier pedigree registry, show system, and judge training program. Associations around the world look to AOA as a model and often send their judges to the United States for training.  WHAT AOA PROVIDES As the national breed association, AOA delivers programs, resources, and tools that help members succeed while strengthening the entire alpaca community:  Internationally recognized pedigree registry  Judge training and certification program respected worldwide

Many alpaca breeders choose to show their best animals and fleeces at AOA's certified alpaca shows.

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