Alpacas are herd animals and should always be kept in groups of two or more for their well being.

Ideally, you should provide shelter for your pet alpacas.  A shelter belt of pine trees or similar will probably do the job.  If you would like to build a shelter for them, a three sided shelter should be adequate, as alpacas have survived and adapted to harsh Andean winters. Your shelter should have adequate ventilation for summer and be large enough to enclose the number of alpacas that you have.

Pet males, in particular, will do quite nicely on pasture grass only. You can also supplement their feed with low protein hay. Some owners also include some commercial pellets prepared especially for alpacas. You may want to have several pasture areas on which your alpacas can feed. This allows you to rotate them from pasture to pasture, giving the grass a respite and time to grow again.

Give your alpaca a constant supply of water. Although they are a member of the camel family and can go without for a period of time, they should always have access to fresh, clean water.

Fence in the appropriate amount of land for the number of alpacas that you have. The general rule is that up to five alpacas can be kept on one acre of land.  A basic 7 or 8-wire and batten fence is more than adequate.  Electric fences aren't effective on alpacas due to their heavy fleece and should be avoided.  If you have a wire fence, battens are essential.  Otherwise, alpacas can reach through the fence and back again, getting their long necks caught in the fence.

Select a vet that is knowledgeable about alpacas. As typically healthy animals, your alpaca may only need annual vaccinations and periodic worming. An alpaca's toenails should be trimmed every two to six months, depending on the colour of the animal.  Light-coloured alpacas need to have their toenails trimmed more often.

Find out from your vet, or the breeder of your pets, if you live in an area of New Zealand that is susceptible to facial eczema.  If so, you will need to protect your alpacas from FE during the critical summer months between December and April.  You can feed them pellets containing zinc and/or spray your paddocks with something that will prevent the spores that cause FE from developing.