The Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association

he Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association (CLAA) was first incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act of Canada in January of 1989 as the Canadian Lama Association. Work forming the association actually began in 1987 through the efforts of founding members and the first Board of Directors: Coral Gibson, Jacques Grenier, Richard Krieger, Lars Dahl and Karin Buhrmann.

The primary objective of the Association was, and still is to develop, identify and register new world camelids in Canada. Although "lama" is the accepted plural of llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicunas, the association's name was changed to its present version in December of 1996 to more accurately reflect the two main breeds being registered – alpacas and llamas.

Registration of our Foundation Stock began in 1990 and closed December 31, 2000. The first animals registered were Toranago CL, a male llama, and FS Miski CA, a female alpaca. There were 531 llamas and 16 alpacas registered that year. At the end of 2006 we had 18,376 registered alpacas and 14,502 registered llamas.