Bella Cria Alpacas is nestled in the agricultural hills of Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Our easy to find ranch is conveniently located between New York City and Philadelphia off I-78, just minutes from Clinton, NJ and the picturesque towns that line the Delaware River.

Our Mission

Bella Cria Alpacas is committed to raising healthy, well-trained alpacas with particular focus on correct conformation and luxurious fiber. As fiber enthusiasts who value the art of handcrafts we understand the importance of breeding for quality fiber. As concerned breeders we also understand the importance of reducing health risks and breeding for the healthiest animals possible. The melding of these two perspectives forms the basis of our mission.

Our Story

Ten years ago our knowledge of alpacas was minimal at best. We were both working full-time (for someone else), dreaming of the day we’d own more than our ½ acre of suburbia. Sometimes you need to follow your dreams. After the birth of our first daughter that is exactly what we did.

Our love of animals naturally led us to consider various livestock options. But, for some reason, “traditional” livestock didn’t strike our interest. It wasn’t until autumn of 2000 that we met our first alpaca at a local sheep and fiber fair. We fell in love instantly! Here was an intriguing (and adorable) animal that could be raised for an extremely practical purpose. The more we learned about these graceful creatures, the more certain we became that the alpaca lifestyle was for us. What other animal combines the qualities of grace and beauty with luxury fiber that comes naturally in a wide array of colors?

Our next steps were research, research, and more research. We visited many alpaca ranches and spoke with many different breeders and fiber critics. Everyone seemed to have an equally interesting story as to how they had discovered alpacas. Although their backgrounds varied dramatically, they all shared an intense love for alpacas.

We purchased our first alpacas and agisted (boarded) at a local alpaca ranch while we shopped for the perfect property to start our farm. Bella Cria Alpacas opened its barn doors in October 2004. We are now a full-service alpaca ranch offering boarding and breeding services, fiber sales, educational seminars and fiber arts camps. We are as convinced as ever that the alpaca lifestyle is right for us.

Our story has just begun…Come visit and be a part of it!