Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the world, and that’s definitely true for Costa Rica. A 2022 survey found that about 76% of households there have at least one dog. However, many canines don’t belong to any families. The National Animal Health Service believes that about a million stray dogs live on the streets throughout Costa Rica as of 2025. These animals commonly suffer from malnutrition, diseases, skin conditions, parasites, and injuries from brawls, traffic accidents, and human cruelty. Lya Battle and Alvaro Samut couldn’t stand by, and they opened a shelter that eventually became a massive sanctuary for rescued dogs.
A sanctuary for stray dogs
Territorio De Zaguates is a no-kill shelter that Battle and Samut founded in 2005 in their very home. Soon, their house couldn’t accommodate all 100 of their charges. Workers and volunteers would bring them dogs in need, or owners would give up pets they no longer want or can care for. No canine was turned away. In 2008, the couple moved to 378 acres of farmland. Battle’s grandfather left her the property when he passed away and she had no use for it until now. The estate now homes over 1,800 dogs, many of whom would be dead without this new home.
“There is a major problem with stray and abandoned dogs in Costa Rica,” said British photographer Dan Giannopoulos to Smithsonian Magazine in 2018. “The government line on [the] treatment of strays is to destroy them. This is the only shelter of its kind in Costa Rica. It offers a new lease [on] life to the dogs, many of whom have lived terrible lives and have terminal illnesses.”
A second chance at life
Territorio De Zaguates translates to “Land of the Strays,” which is fitting for a shelter with expansive tropical mountain land where dogs can frolic freely. Unlike other shelters, the dogs are free to roam across the pastures. They take long walks (accompanied by humans) through mountains and rivers every day. Also, they have a team of people who pick up after they “do their business” and keep the grounds clean. The shelter goes through about 30 sacks of 60-pound kibble a day.
“Just feeding these dogs is over $7,000 every 10 days,” writes Battle on their website. “All of our dogs are beautiful, but you’ll notice that many of them don’t look their best, and some even are in really poor shape and recovering.” She explained they take street dogs she describes as “worst-case scenarios” because nobody else is helping them. Although the sanctuary has limited funds, it has plenty of space. “So we try to tend to the more broken dogs. Our commitment is to offer them a chance to be happy, a chance to be loved, to get a name, to find friends, and to remember what it feels like to be just a dog and not survive 24/7.”
When dogs first arrive, they are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for diseases and parasites, and given any other type of medical treatment they may need. All newbies are quarantined and monitored. They often arrive nervous as many were abused, neglected, starved, and barely surviving. Then they are placed into a holding pen where they can smell and interact with other dogs through the fence. Many dogs are timid at first but once they are interested in the other pups, they are let out into the pack where they have already met their new kin.
Closed to the public
Giannopoulos had visited the doggy haven before it was closed to the public in 2017. Prior to that, visitors would come play with the animals, take them on walks, and hopefully adopt them. For guests like Giannopoulos, it was a dream come true. “As a dog lover, it’s pretty much paradise hanging out with hundreds of dogs, roaming fields and lush rainforests,” he said.
Unfortunately, Territorio De Zaguates was closed to the public due to inadequate infrastructure according to government regulatory requirements. SENASA, the National Animal Health Service in Costa Rica and the Health Ministry, posted Facebook photos of the inadequate infrastructure and dogs in poor physical health. However, most of the responses defended the shelter, saying it’s unfair to judge the sanctuary based on the poor health of canines who were taken off the streets for that very reason. Others pointed out that the photos included sites that appeared to be under construction, meaning the staff were working to improve the area despite the lack of funds. They accused SENASA of making things difficult for a nonprofit trying to help animals in need.
Since then, the Battle, Samut, and their staff have finished building a new entrance for vehicles, multiple emergency exits, an extensive rainwater system, accessibility ramps, a cemetery, new visitor bathrooms, a new clinic, and new areas specialized for pregnant dogs, puppies, and dogs with special needs. However, further inspections have led to new demands. Still, the staff aim to open the sanctuary to guests as soon as they get the approval. They are currently working on completing a roadway and part of an enclosure.
Donate to help stray dogs
According to the Territorio De Zaguates website, they have rescued over 27,000 dogs and helped over 14,000 get adopted. They are a donation-based organization, funded by people’s generosity. They also sell merchandise and dog food, with the proceeds going back into dogs’ care. “We are deeply grateful to each and every donor… for every cent that comes our way,” wrote Battle. “And if you think $1 is not going to make a difference, imagine 100 or 1,000 of you feeling that way. We’re grateful for every little bit of help. Prayers and good wishes… That also helps! And I think that’s a big reason why we’re still around. I believe there is someone up there who listens to your prayers and agrees with what we’re doing.”
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