Looking back at Tristate Llama Caregivers:
January 2003
As we approach our fifth year and look back at the positive accomplishments of this small group of “caring llama owners”, we can truly be proud of the llamas we have helped rescue and the new owners we have helped educate. The TLC web site continually receives email asking for help in rescue, medical problems and how to care for a new llama. Someone has always been willing to step forward and offer help. We realize that everyone does not have the same needs or desires they had when the group first started. This is normal in all groups as people learn new things, their focus changes and they develop new areas of interest. In 1998 Good News Llamas started TLC with the help of friends and those who wanted to learn about how to care for their llamas and be able to enjoy their llamas by going to different activities. (enclosed is a copy of our first meeting) At that first meeting we established six major goals. After 5 years some members have moved, some given up their llamas, new groups have started and interests have changed. TLC will continue to exist and offer support to those who need help and try to maintain the original goals of education and rescue. Did TLC meet the goals that were set? Perhaps as you read the accounts of some of the activities you can ask yourself “did I realize my goal”?
Goal 1 – Llamas have truly been promoted in our community as they have been admired in parades, petted at schools and attended many community functions. Law enforcement agencies have been provided information on how to catch and care for loose or the abandon llamas. Llamas have been on the local news, other TV interviews and newspapers. Several farms have hosted open houses and workshops throughout our area.
Goal 2- With the help of Dr. Mike Dyer, Dr. David Anderson and many other caring vets in our area the llamas have access to quality healthcare and all of us have supported each other in times of an emergency or loss of an animal. Some of you have gone in the middle of the night to help save a newborn cria. Health information from the internet, vets and discussion groups has been passed along in order to help our llamas and alpacas stay healthy.
Goal 3 – A thriving network of owners exist. As each of us have branched out in our own special way and as our farms have grown we have integrated many new aspects of llamas into our life. In just these few short years TLC farms have gained knowledge on fiber, guard llamas, showing, therapy and more.
Goal 4 – TLC has supported farms needing hay and continues to research feed possibilities.
Goal 5 – The hope is that each of us has been selective and cautious as we sell our llamas and provided follow-up support.
Goal 6 – Many, many new owner packets have been mailed or given to those that visit your farms and information provided at events you have attended. With so many llamas now needing to be rescued this is a never ending effort for TLC. Displays have been set up at shows and around our community with lots of information and photos for llama owners and those thinking about becoming a llama owner to learn about the care they need. TLC has assisted in numerous llama and alpaca rescue efforts and provide telephone and email support throughout the country.
How do you measure SUCCESS? Look into the eyes of that llama you helped rescue, that llama you prayed and cried over when it was sick, that friend in the time of the loss of a loved one.
Many different areas are available in llamas and alpacas to get involved and be an active part. If TLC is not your interest at this time we understand. TLC exist for educational and rescue efforts and will continue in both.
Looking to the future:
· As the name implies we are Caregivers to the llama community. In the future TLC will become even more involved in rescue and educational efforts. As we read of llamas going to the slaughter house for dog food, starving to death and dying of meningeal worm because people don’t know how to properly care for them, have we lost our first focus?
·
Educational and
sharing/fun meetings will begin this spring – suggested topics are welcome.
· Tristate Llama Caregivers name and logo will remain a place where anyone can get information, assistance and support. Many agencies and individuals rely on TLC as a resource for health matters, rescue and sometimes just an ear to listen. It is important to the wellbeing of the new owner and that llama needing help, to keep this group active and a place to share medical problems and share treatments that have been successful and not successful.
· The TLC web site will have a new look and web address very soon focusing on rescue, health and educational information. I cannot host TLC or GNL on its current location so the site will be going to a private provider. The new address will be http://www.goodnewsllamas.com/tlc/
· A TLC newsletter will be going out twice a year to those on the mailing list and be posted on the web site. If you have something to add to the newsletter you can send the information to ross@marshall.edu.
As the mailing list needs to be updated please let us know if you want to continue to be an active part of TLC, and remain part of the rescue and educational team. If your address, phone or email has changed please send us the correct information. We appreciate the help and support all of you have given over the past 5 years and look forward to working with you in the future.
If you have any suggestions for educational meetings please let us know. The spring meeting will be listed on the TLC web site and TLC email discussion list and for those of you without computers we will mail you a notice. Let’s pull together and get “back to the basics” - “back to our original goals”
Tom and Judy Ross
Good News Llamas
975 Co. Rd. 104
Chesapeake, OH 45619