The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) was formed in 1988 with several specific goals in mind. AOBA's responsibilities include

• the promotion of public awareness of AOBA and appreciation of its goals;
• the provision of an educational forum for the care and breeding of alpacas;
• the promotion of the Alpaca industry as a whole, and;
• the fostering of the establishment of the breed in North America by encouraging sound animal husbandry practices intended to promote herd health, overall soundness, and improved wool production.

For more information about AOBA and for access to the organization's vast library of resource information, please visit their website at www.alpacainfo.com.

The Alpaca Registry Incorporated (ARI) is a database that houses the geneaology, blood typing, DNA, and ownership records of alpacas in North America and those of a few outside the area. Since it's inception in 1988 The Registry has mandated strict guidelines for registering alpacas in the interest of maintaining the value of the bloodstock or breed. The Registry is a non-profit corporation governed by an elected board.

For more information about the organization, its history, and its role in the alpaca industry, please visit their website at www.alpacaregistry.net.

The Alpaca Fiber Co-op of North America (AFCNA) was formed in 1997 with the goal of linking producers and consumers by improving and promoting the quality and value of alpaca fiber and products. The AFCNA operates on a service-at-cost basis which in the long run will be self-sustaining and will earn money for its participating members. Visit the Co-op's website for more information at www.americasalpaca.com

C.A.B.A. The Columbia Alpaca Breeders Association is an affiliate of A.O.B.A. and serves members mainly in the northwest part of Oregon and Vancouver, WA. They meet on a monthly basis for education, support, farm tours and promoting alpacas to the public. If you would like to attend a meeting as our guest, please let us know. For more information about C.A.B.A visit their website at www.columbiaalpacabreeders.org

A.R.O.W. The Alpaca Ranchers of southWest Washington is an affiliate of A.O.B.A. and serves members mainly in SW Washington from Olympia to Vancouver. They meet on a monthly basis rotating visiting members farms in the central area of membership. Meetings are designed to educate, network and get hands-on experience on working farms. We invite you to be our guest to these meetings. For more information about A.R.O.W. visit their website at: www.arow.org