West Heath Alpacas is run by Sarah Small
Sarah is a former teacher and SENCo who discovered alpacas almost by accident and has never looked back.
It began with a skein of beautiful alpaca wool, then a visit to see the animals in person, and before long Sarah had purchased three female alpacas: Lady, Sienna and Sherbet.
The herd has continued to grow since.
Two cria, Annie and Hamilton, arrived in the summer of 2021. Then Tex, Baloo, Sebbie, Marius and Fiyero have all joined the family, and every single one of them has been raised with the same patient, gentle approach that makes West Heath alpacas so calm and wonderful to be around.
A small Surrey Alpaca herd raised with gentleness and care
Having spent a career working with children, including those with special educational needs, Sarah began to notice the profound effect the alpacas had on everyone who spent time with them.
The calm they bring is not just anecdotal. It is something visitors feel for themselves, often within minutes.
Sarah runs West Heath Alpacas with the same care and attentiveness she brings to the animals themselves.
Customers consistently comment on how quickly she responds, how helpful she is, and how personal the whole experience feels. That is not a policy. It is just how she is.
Meet Sarah Small
CEVAS accredited, Camelidynamics trained and passionate about alpacas
Sarah holds a range of qualifications that underpin the professional and caring way West Heath Alpacas operates:
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CEVAS (Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme) accredited farm
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Camelidynamics handling training (working towards UK consultancy status)
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British Alpaca Society affiliate member and course graduate
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Multiple first prize winner at the British Alpaca Society National Show for alpaca products
"Excellent customer service! My mittens were made to my measurements. Fast replies to my messages."
Carolyn, verified Etsy buyer
Meet the alpacas you will spend time with
Every alpaca at West Heath has a name, a story and a personality all of their own. That is part of what makes a visit so special.
Meet the Girls
Lady
Lady is the matriarch of the herd and takes this role on with pride. She is the oldest of our girls and definitely the most regal. She enjoys her own space and is particularly fond of the chickens who live at the bottom of the field. Lady is a passionate sun-bather.
Sherbet
Sherbet is one of the original members of the West Heath Alpacas herd and likes to make her presence as a stalwart of the community known. She has strong opinions about food and personal space that she shares with her alpaca and human friends alike. Sherbet enjoys lying down and moving as little as possible, unless there’s the chance that she might get food!
Annie
Annie is one of Lady’s daughters. Her dad was a stunning stud male however her behaviour would suggest that the rest of her heritage is unclear. She is affectionately known as a labra-paca because of her incredibly friendly and food-oriented nature. Annie is proficient at opening the food bins herself if we do not close them very firmly.
Maria
Maria is the newest member of the team at West Heath Alpacas and she’s settled in very well. Maria is a gentle, chatty and curious girl. She often has quite a lot to say and likes to make sure we’re listening to her.
Meet the Boys
Tex
Tex enjoys a quieter life featuring plenty of personal space, standing on his mound of earth and calmly watching the rest of the herd. Tex is an amenable chap, very happy with his own company and can often be found completly on his own in the field.
Fiyero
Like his namesake, Fiyero enjoys dancing through life and generally causing mischief wherever he goes. He can often be found neck-deep in the hay bins.
Sebbie
Sebbie is a special, relaxed and eternally perplexed member of the herd. He’s very happy-go-lucky and tends to just gently wander along behind the others quietly appreciating the field and enjoying life.
Baloo
Baloo also enjoys Tex’s personal space which can lead to some negotiations in which Tex usually prevails. Baloo is a suri alpaca so has something of the ‘surf dude’ about him. He has a very inquisitive nature and loves doing alpaca agility!
Marius
Marius is a calm, gentle and incredibly well-natured young chap. Marius enjoys going undercover as a grey alpaca by rolling in the dirt and dust of the field. He is particularly caring towards his half-brother Sebbie.
Our Alpacas: Gentle by nature, gentle by design
How we handle our alpacas, and why it matters to you
At West Heath, we believe how an animal is handled shapes who they become. We use the Camelidynamics method, a respectful and considered approach to working with camelids that builds genuine trust between animal and human. It is why our alpacas are so calm, so approachable, and such a joy to spend time with.
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Every product we produce can be traced back to the animal whose fleece it came from.
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Every experience we offer is designed with the welfare of both animal and visitor in mind.
We are proud of what we have built here, and we love sharing it.
