An alpaca adoption: A perfect gift

Gift Giving. There are people who have a real talent for it, who treat it like an art form.

For years, I have had the privilege of hearing some incredible gift-giving stories through the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, Adopt an Alpaca program at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.

Birthdays, anniversaries, adoptions to honor the memory of someone, and of course our most popular, holiday adoptions.

Daniel Chang and his wife, Tracy Weyand, meet their adopted alpaca Andre, at right,
and his buddy Pax in April.

When someone adopts an alpaca, it allows them to support our environmental justice ministry from anywhere in the country — or even the world.

At the same time, it provides someone special a unique gift. Along with a picture of their virtually adopted alpaca and a certificate, the recipient also has the opportunity to meet their alpaca for about 20 minutes one time throughout the year.

The happiness and smiles I get to witness when I introduce recipients to “their” alpaca during a visit is a gift for me. And I feel confident in speaking for most of the alpacas that anytime they get special treats we provide during a visit, they appreciate that they were the chosen ones as well.

An adoption story

Daniel Chang shares about how special the gift of his adopted alpaca is to him. He and his wife Tracy visited their adopted alpaca Andre and his best buddy Pax this past April.

“My mother-in-law knows I love alpacas and adopted Andre as a Christmas gift,” Daniel admitted.

Daniel had met the White Violet Center alpacas earlier in the year.

Tracy and Daniel show Andre the alpaca toy that Daniel received along with his adoption for his Christmas gift.

“I first visited in 2024 for the event with the Solar Eclipse and came again for the after Thanksgiving (open barn) event which is where I met Andre and Pax. My wife must have noticed how happy I was and told her mother.”

“Meeting the alpacas was amazing. Andre and Pax were both still crias (baby alpacas), which means they were a little more energetic, playful, and still had their cria coats which were so soft and fluffy. I have never touched something so soft in my life!”

“In addition to seeing Andre and Pax, we saw most of the herd including two of our favorites: Jean and Tracy. We have seen that pair every visit and I am particularly fond of both of them.

“Adopting and visiting Andre and Pax was a truly joyous experience. Alpacas are herd animals and it’s amazing to see that they each have different personalities within the herd community.

“I also think outreach events are important since they show us that we share this world with other animals and teach us conservation and to be good stewards. They are also a great way to improve one’s mental health,” Daniel said.

Would an alpaca adoption make a great gift for yourself or someone you love? Adopt today at Adopt.SistersofProvidence.

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Tara Elmore

Tara grew up in Seymour, Indiana, but has lived in Terre Haute for many years. She graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Communications. In 2014 Tara did a year-long internship at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. She then spent the next few years living in the Pacific Northwest working on farms with her husband John-Michael. In 2018, they customized a 2012 Seattle Times delivery van and spent the year visiting all 50 states, volunteering with at least one organization in each state. In December of 2019 she joined the staff of White Violet Center where she currently works as the Director of Outreach and Events. In addition to taking care of our alpaca herd and chicken flock, Tara shares her passion for all of creation with visitors when she leads tours and field trips. She also is a published author having co-written the children's book, "Herbert the Edgy Hedgie."