Safe Haven Llama and Alpaca Sanctuary

07/01/2025

Well. another new week begins. My neice lets us keep our sanctuary llamas and alpacas, during the spring , summer and fall months., on her back pasture. Every morning about 8:00 I walk out to the fenceline and open the panel and stand next to it, as they slowly make their way out to the field. Some of them , like poppy, are still a little skittish so I stand their purposely. SOmetimes they walk by and sometimes they RUN BY. This is a great time for me to do a good check up on each. They have certain spots they like to lay out in during the day. Then they come up to the barn area for shade and then it starts over again. About lunch time they are being lazy so I walk over by the driveway as their is a nest of 4 eggs that belong to the Kildeer parents who make sure it is known and they do not want me near it. Guess what? I am their guardian person. This is a second nest. I always put some large rocks around the nests so no one drives over it. After heading back to the barn it is time to get to work. I have only a few llamas and one alpaca left to shear. Also they want their treat as Bryley and Smoke get special treat, the elderly's. When evening time comes about 8:30 p.m. I then HAVE TO WALK OUT TO THE FAR PASTURE. As I go out the gate I just say"TIME TO GO UP" and they Know the drill now but I say it anyway, makes me feel important, LOL. BUT Mr. Pintlar makes me walk WAY out there, then he gets up , takes his time , follows a trail and ALWAYS has to STOP AND ITCH HIS BUTT and then when he is ready, mosey on up. I love it. Got my exercise before bed.

06/30/2025

📣 Huge thanks to Bitterroot Star and John Dowd for the wonderful coverage! 🌟
Want some of our amazing llama poo compost? 🌱 Call Char at 406-961-4027 and let her know how many bags you'd like. (Just be sure to leave a clear message if we miss you!) 💚

https://bitterrootstar.com/2025/06/llama-p**p-supports-llama-alpaca-sanctuary/

by John Dowd Safe Haven Llama and Alpaca Sanctuary in Corvallis has been open since 2004. Since then, Char Hakes, the founder and operator of the nonprofit, has been working […]

06/28/2025

Llamas don’t sleep in.
Sanctuary Mornings: Behind the Scenes at 7:00 A.M.

While most of the world is still hitting snooze, we’re out in the far pasture giving Bryley her morning boost—literally. She’s not exactly a morning person—er, llama—and most days she needs a little help getting up. Her arthritis flares up early, but once she’s on her feet, she’s ready to face the day.

From there, it’s all hands (and toes) on deck:
💧 Waters are checked and scrubbed
💦 Sprinklers go on (yes, our alpacas enjoy a splash)
🚜 Sometimes there’s pasture mowing—critters appreciate a tidy yard too
🦙 Morning treats are delivered (bribes? Maybe...we call it nutritional relationship building)
🌿 Everyone heads to the back pasture to graze and gossip
🏡 Shelters get tidied
💩 Weekly barn and pasture cleanup keeps us humble
🧼 And of course, time is set aside for wound care and medications. Right now, our sweet Encantata is healing from a wound on her old (and still very precious) llama butt.

Glamorous? Not exactly. But this is sanctuary life. These animals—just like people—deserve love, respect, and the very best care, every single day. ❤️‍🩹

Just another morning at the sanctuary, where every task is powered by love, hay, and a strong cup of tea. ☕💛

👉 Friends of Safe Haven, we can’t do this alone. Every early morning, every healing moment, every bag of hay and vet visit is possible because of a community that cares.

Would you consider a donation to help us care for the herd?
💛 100% of your gift goes directly to animal care.

Make an impact today Support our mission by contributing a donation. Your Support Changes LivesWe take pride in what we do 365 days a year, providing safe, long-term care for these remarkable creatures. It would not be possible to share the story of Safe Haven Llama and Alpaca Sanctuary without your...

06/28/2025

What else happens here that people do not see? As I was walking the back pasture and pond area day before yesterday I found two fawn about 2 weeks old, hanging in the fence wire, dead. Made me sick and sad. Yesterday I hooked up the cart , got a wire cutter and headed over where they were hanging. As I was passing through the tall grasses another fawn jumped up and ran to the pond area and of course had to hide in the cattails RIGHT NEXT TO THE WATER EDGE. So I was freaked out afraid that it would fall into the pond. I decided to go around the north end so as not to freak the little babe out. Just breaks my heart seeing them little creatures of Jehovahs dying in such a horrific way. I kneeled down and cut the wires and unhung the first little one, then I moved farther down and cut the wires and unhung the second one. They had been there for only a day or two, three now. Laid them in the cart to take and bury them. With all of our farm lands being sub divided up and too many people ruining our lands these animals don't have a place to call home of their own anymore. Sad. Guess people do not know where their food comes from. People drive like crazy on my corner and from town to town on our road dead animals lay . I have buried so many deer it is unreal. SO, that is another part of one of the things I do here.

06/26/2025

Check us out in the Bitterrroot Star newspaper that come out today, wednesday. It is a great paper and John Dowd always does a good job, even adding a little of his own flair to his articles. Kevin, my son, stirred up the compost pile last evening and we have some fantastic compost. Buy 7 bags and get an 8th one free. We ask a donation actually of $15 per recycled feed bag full. They can be super heavy. Contact Char to order how many bags you would like and she will call ya when it's bagged and ready. Meet some of the animals of safe haven while you are at it. 406-961-4027, leave a message nice and clear.

06/22/2025

A few of our board memebers and volunteers visited a local llama show this weekend.

Groomed to perfection, halters just so, walking with purpose and polish.
Beautiful creatures—every one of them.

But here’s what one of the board members said:
“I’ll clap for the winners and admire the shine,
but my heart is forever tethered to the crooked ones.
The limpy, scruffy, anxious, “what even happened to your haircut” kind.
The ones who need coaxing, patience, and a second (or third) chance. The rescues, the neglected, the surrendered.

But gosh what an incredible event, and I enjoyed every minute. Thanks to all who put on such a great show!

That’s the thing about sanctuary work.
We don't look for showstoppers—we fall for the ones who never stood a chance in the ring.
And love them just as they are.

05/30/2025

🦙 KPAX Community Spotlight: Safe Haven Sanctuary 🌿

Looking for an uplifting local story? 🏡 Don’t miss the latest KPAX-TV Community Spotlight featuring our VP Lynne representing Safe Haven Llama & Alpaca Sanctuary!

We’re not just rescuing animals — we’re helping gardens grow too! It’s officially Poo-Tea Time 💩☕

Our ongoing fundraiser offers organic, chemical-free "Poo Tea" — a natural garden fertilizer made from composted llama manure. It’s eco-friendly, nutrient-rich, and every $15 bag supports the care of our rescued herd.

📞 Call us to schedule a pick-up and give your garden (and our llamas) some love! 406-546-2381

The Safe Haven Llama and Alpaca Sanctuary is hosting a unique fundraiser to help support the care of elderly llamas and alpacas.

05/26/2025

👋 Get to Know Your Board! | Meet the Faces Behind Safe Haven Llama & Alpaca Sanctuary.

At Safehaven, our board members are the heart of our mission. They bring passion, expertise, and a whole lot of heart to everything we do — and now we’d love for YOU to get to know them!

🎉 Board Member Spotlight: Lynne is our Vice President and helps with animal care and events.
👉 What was your dream job as a kid?
SOMETHING WITH ANIMALS AND AN ASTRONAUT
👉 If your life were a movie, what would it be called?
ENDLESS ADVENTURES
👉 What’s your go-to karaoke song?
BAD TO THE BONE
👉 If you were a flavor of ice cream, which one would you be? COFFEE
👉 What’s your hidden talent?
I’VE GOT AN INCREDIBLY LOUD WHISTLE CAPABLE OF STOPPING A BUS 1/2 MILE AWAY.
👉 What inspires you to serve on our board?
LOVE THE ANIMALS

🎥 Stay tuned each week as we spotlight a new board member and share fun facts.
💬 Got a question you’d love to ask our board? Drop it in the comments below! 👇

05/22/2025

🦙💛 Our Fuzzy Friends Need a Little TLC 💛🦙

We have a few special residents at the sanctuary who are heading to the vet soon for X-rays and wellness checks, and we’re reaching out for a bit of extra support to help cover their care.

✨ Nutrise the llama has been a little stiff lately.
✨ Solary had a growth on his leg and needs a closer look.
✨ Naomi is limping, and we want to make sure she’s okay.

These gentle, curious animals are so loved, and making sure they’re healthy and comfortable is our top priority. The cost of X-rays and follow-up care adds up quickly, but with your help, we can give them the attention and compassionate care they deserve.

💛 If you’d like to contribute to their care, we’d be incredibly grateful. Every bit helps!
📎 https://www.safehavenllamas.org/donate

Even if you can't donate, sharing this post helps us reach more animal lovers. Thank you for being part of their journey! 💫

05/18/2025

🦙 🎉 Meet the Board: Behind the Scenes of Safe Haven Llama & Alpaca Sanctuary!🎉🦙
We know our board members are brilliant, but did you know they’re also a ton of fun? 😄
We're kicking off a new series where we ask our board members some unexpected, light-hearted questions — because giving back isn’t the only thing they’re passionate about.

Matt Kinsey is our treasurer and helps with animal care and events.

👉 What was your dream job as a kid?
I wanted to be a famous singer in a rock band.
👉 If you were a flavor of ice cream, which one would you be? Mint chocolate chip
👉 What’s your hidden talent? I can sing and play guitar, piano, bass, drums.
👉 What inspires you to serve on our board?
My love for llamas. Simple.

🎥 Stay tuned each week as we spotlight a new board member and share fun facts.

💬 Got a question you’d love to ask our board? Drop it in the comments below! 👇