Alpaca ranch invites public to open house

The Alpaca Ranch Open House, holiday boutique and alpaca sale will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Sat., Dec. 6 at Alpacas and Beyond Ranch, 5837 Los Angeles Ave., Somis.

The event is sponsored by Alpacas & Beyond, As You Like It Alpacas, Buenaventura Alpacas, 7th Heaven Alpacas and others.

Families are welcome. Children will be able to pet the animals; parents can shop, and everyone can learn more about owning alpacas and the business opportunities they offer.

Alpacas are wooly, smaller cousins of llamas and distant cousins of camels.

"They make wonderful companions and are also a sound and lucrative investment," said Claudia Weintraub, founder of As You Like It Alpacas and event organizer.

The hosting breeders will be on hand to sell weanlings, maidens, pregnant females and males.

Experts will discuss owning alpacas for companionship or breeding. Information on the tax advantages of alpaca ownership will also be available.

The event will include discounts on purchases and breeding as well as gift certificates toward future alpaca purchases, breeding and related items.

Vendors will sell a variety of items, alpaca clothing, blankets and yarn, alpaca fur teddy bears, jewelry, paintings, leather belts and purses, and rare and unusual gifts.

For more information, e-mail Claudia@asyoulikeitalpacas.com.