POTSDAM -- A Canton-Potsdam Hospital doctor and his husband recently spent three days caring for 13 alpacas belonging to a new CPH physician while he moved to the North Country.

Dr. Imré K. Rainey-Spence and his husband Aaron tended the scene of what CPH calls “Alpacalypse,” the arrival of 13 alpacas who are being fostered by the doctor and his family pending the arrival of Dr. Ryan Coates, an emergency medicine physician joining Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s ER in August.

“Dr. Coates and his wife, Ali, a medical research coordinator, wanted to know that their beautiful alpacas would be properly cared for as they make the move to the region. We’re thrilled to host Whisper and her siblings until the Coateses can find an appropriate home in the area for them to be together again,” said Rainey-Spence. “We have eight alpacas of our own.”

The 13 alpacas, three males and 10 females, arrived Tuesday, May 19, after a three-day drive from Arizona. A special alpaca transporter delivered them. Nancey Brackett, previous owner of the farm who raised horses and shared her animal husbandry and farm management experience with the Rainey-Spence family when they first moved to the area, was also on hand to help.

“We don’t really know how long they’ll be with us. We asked the Coateses not to worry about the time, either, and to just take a breather and get themselves settled,” said Rainey-Spence. “People were so kind to us when we moved here, we want to return the kindness. Our farm can handle them and we love watching how curious they are,” he said.