Celebrate the Alpaca

Public invited to

Brian Wilkinson

(Updated: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 9:00 AM)

Fourteen years ago, Ken and Lisa Theis decided they were going to move from Ventura to Eastern Madera County and build a house on income property, a decision they have never regretted. They now live and work on one of the largest, award-winning alpaca ranches in California.

In 1995, they purchased 40 acres near Bass Lake with a plan for the property to produce an income. They were considering planting wine grapes when Lisa Theis saw an advertisement in Sunset Magazine for an alpaca seminar in Santa Barbara County.

"After the seminar I knew I wanted to get involved with alpacas," Lisa Theis said. "While we were building our house, I continued to attend seminars and do my homework on the animals."

Wanting to be as prepared as possible for her new profession, she asked her large animal veterinarian for a job, since a vet in the office worked with alpacas.

"I was there for four years and gained a wealth of information," Theis said.

After the couple completed their house in 1998, they invested $40,000 in four female and three male alpacas. Today, the KT-Lee Ranch is home to 120 of the animals that are native to South America. They are descendants of the camel and cousin to the llama.

The ranch offers alpaca sales, stud service, brokering and alpaca products.

The fleece of alpacas is the third softest fiber in the world.

"Alpaca fleece is warmer, lighter and stronger than wool and has no allergens," Theis said.

The animals are sheared once a year and the fleece is sent to Suri-AL Fibers & Mill in North Fork, where the fleece is cleaned and used to manufacture a variety of products.

Ken and Lisa own 40 of the curious creatures and the additional alpacas are boarded on the ranch for several different owners. One of the owners brings 20 males to the ranch every summer to get them out of the heat of Southern California.

There is a national database for all alpacas that are DNA blood typed and registered. Every alpaca on the ranch is also microchipped.

KT-Lee Ranch has a reputation in the industry for its herd-sires, which carry some of the best genetics in the country.

"These boys provide stud service to females that are transported to the ranch," a proud Theis said.

Theis says the income from the alpacas is excellent but like everything else this year, it's become a buyer's market.

"The prices we get for the animals and fleece have really come down. Some people in the past have bought alpacas because they thought they would get rich -- but that certainly is not the case. Like any other business, your success depends on how you run your business," Theis said.

The alpaca gestation period is 11 to 12 months and the babies are called cria.

"Having the babies is a bonus. It adds to the pleasure of owning alpacas," Theis said.

The average adult alpaca stands 3 feet tall at the base of the neck. The males weigh 160 to 200 pounds and the females average 120 to 160 pounds.

Theis is quick to point out that as cute, smart and trainable as the animals are, they are not pets and they are too small to use as pack animals. She says some people own alpacas as a hobby and can purchase non-breeding males for a little as $500 to $1,500 and "still reap the benefits of the fleece."

Not shy of hard work, Theis spends half her day taking care of the animals and routine farm chores and half the day communicating with clients, bookkeeping and marketing.

Due to her experience, Theis serves as a coach, consultant and mentor to many alpaca owners. "It is very satisfying to see clients become successful in their own venture."

"Everyone always asks if they spit," Theis said. "They spit at each other all the time. They only spit at people if they are provoked -- or if you get caught in the crossfire."

Alpaca farm days Saturday and Sunday

In 2007, the California Department of Agriculture issued a proclamation commemorating California Alpaca Farm Day. Most states, including California, have set aside the last weekend in September to celebrate the alpaca.

The KT-Lee Ranch gates will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and the public is invited for ranch tours, educational information, fleece samples, refreshments and the popular "pet the alpaca pen."

The ranch country store will be open featuring the sale of raw fleece along with many alpaca products.

While visiting, be sure to say hello to the ranch security team of Brutus, Shadow and Kita -- the three mixed labs who keep the predators away.

Details: KT-Lee Ranch, 35625 Road 274, between Bass Lake and North Fork. (559) 760-3969.