Pickleshrub Alpaca/Llama, Chicken, Dog, & Cat Rescue Farms
Our 3.5 acre East Atlanta farm spans three properties and includes four very spoiled Suri alpacas (they have dreadlocks), and four llamas. Our original alpacas were rescues that we had transported from Maryland, when the owner’s husband became terminally ill. The remaining llamas and alpacas were rescued from several trips to a very sad exotic auction house. These auction animals were abused, neglected or both. All of the animals arrived here with a host of health concerns: emaciation, toenails so long they struggled to walk, years of matted fiber growth (imagine wearing three winter coats all year long in our Southern humidity!), long teeth, parasites, umbilical hernia, blindness, pregnancies, and flat out abuse. Most were feral, terrified, anxious and feared humans.
Poor sweet spotty appaloosa Figgy had been dragged by her ears and by an ill-fitting halter. Amazingly, Figgy, after 5 months of terrible lashing-out behavior (tempered by kindness and treats), one day realized she liked it here and became our empath ambassador llama. Literally, her temperament shifted a complete 180 degrees.
We also have a host of rescued chickens, where people can’t keep them safe from predators. Or they are unwanted and abandoned. We go, gather them and bring them here.
We also breed critically endangered species to help preserve them. We have Ayam Cemani - an Indonesian variety, as reflective as an oil slick, black inside and out. The Russian Pavlovskaya - a flashy, fluffy-headed, bearded chicken (only one was left in the world in 1984!). And finally, our Swedish Orusts (pronounced ORE-ROOST) - white & black birds with webbed toes designed for navigating the surf when hunting fish or kelp. The Orust roosters have pale yellow earlobes that turn vivid purple when they're upset - warning the hens of danger over the roar of the loud surf. We breed these specifically to increase their population and prevent extinction.
You can come stay for a night or several and meet our lovely animals. Or schedule an hour tour to take our Experience, which gives you a sampling of the herd history, bamboo forest, apiary (honeybee yard), treehouse and other reclaimed structures.
