What is this ICI?
Hank Kauffman
Question:
It seems that every time I have a problem with my llamas or alpacas, I have to search for help and information on what to do. Is there a good single source for llama and alpaca medical information and help?
Answer:
Yes, actually there is a relatively new organization that strives to do just that. The International Camelid Institute (ICI) was established in 2001 and is being developed to be an information warehouse for camelid owners. The following information about ICI should be helpful.
About ICI
Dr. David Anderson from The Ohio State University first conceived the concept of the International Camelid Institute in 2001. With the retirement of nationally acclaimed llama and alpaca veterinarians like Murray Fowler, La Rue Johnson and Brad Smith, there was a need for a single source to preserve camelid medical information and provide help to both camelid owners and veterinarians. The intent of ICI is to fill this void. Although based at The Ohio State University, Dr. Anderson was quick to state that this is an independent non - profit institute. He further stated that this is NOT a research organization but, instead, a scientific information warehouse and a help resource institute that is accessible to everyone by email, by telephone or by going to the ICI web site.
Being an institute means that ICI is a 501c3, non-profit organization. The funding is all in the form of donations. All donations go into an ICI endowment fund, which means the principle can never be touched. Only the proceeds from the invested endowment can be used to develop and run ICI. This also means that ICI, unlike some other camelid organizations have in the past, will never run out of operating funds once the endowment’s funding goal has been reached. Almost $300,000.00 has been raised to date to fund the endowment. The goal is to raise at least $1,000,000.00 in the next five years, which would provide about $50,000.00 a year as operating funds.
The all-volunteer Advisory Council with members from both the alpaca and llama communities helps ICI with direction, planning, development, and fund raising.
What is available to you?
Direct Help
There is immediate access to both medical experts and herd management consultants. By going to the ICI website, www.icinfo.org and going to the Consult Corner, you will find a list of industry specialists in all aspects of camelid medicine and herd management, that will be glad to answer questions and provide one on one help. There is currently an effort underway to expand the list of available consultants. Most consultants can be contacted by phone or by email. This help is almost always at no charge.
Research Library
There is an extensive camelid research library on the ICI website, www.icinfo.org listed under “Research Library”. Abstracts and studies are available to both the breeder and veterinarian at no charge. This list continues to grow as additional abstracts become available.
Emergency Alert System
With the generous backing of AOBA and ARI, the ICI office has developed an “Emergency Alert System”. This is a free service that puts your farm on a list to receive notification of emerging diseases, epidemics, outbreaks, or issues that require immediate response. To get your farm on this very important EAS list, go to the ICI website, www.icinfo.org and under “Resources” simply sign up to be on the list or contact Dr. Tracy Miesner at the ICI office. Then if an industry crisis or emergency arises you will be contacted and kept informed.
Find a Vet
Have you ever had trouble finding a llama or alpaca veterinarian? The ICI web site, www.icinfo.org offers an extensive list of camelid vets in the United States and around the world. There is also an additional link to even more qualified veterinarians.
The continued growth and success of the International Camelid Institute will make ICI become the single source for accurate and effective camelid information and make the raising of these wonderful animals even more rewarding. If there is any additional help or information that you would like to see available from ICI or on the ICI website, www.icinfo.org, you can contact the ICI Information Director, Dr. Tracy Miesner at the ICI office by calling 614-403-1016 or emailing her at miesner.2@osu.ed