Eugene (KMTR) - Local alpaca breeders are packing up fleece to send to the Gulf Coast clean up.
Just in time for sheering season, the Alpaca Breeders Connection in south Eugene got the idea to donate fleece after watching news reports about the oil cleanup efforts in Louisiana.
They contacted the group "matteroftrust.org," and already have 50 to 70 pounds ready to ship to the relief effort.
Breeder Ann Dockendorf says it's the perfect fiber for the job.
“Alpaca fleece doesn't have any lanolin in it,” she says. “There's no oil in it, so it makes it very absorbent for oil.”
The alpaca’s hair can be woven into mats or stuffed into pantyhose and used like a sponge.
Dockendorf’s farm will sheer more animals next month so they can help again. Other breeders are being encouraged to do the same.
