Yes, you can believe your eyes, there are 700 stray animals that make a home here in Costa Rica. This animal paradise, better known as Territorio de Zaguates or Land of the Strays, is on top of a beautiful mountain, located only about an hour away from San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica.

The animals in this privately funded sanctuary get a second or third chance at life. No animal is turned away, and no animal is killed. In such a lovely setting, hikes are a must. Volunteers from around the city and countryside lead the animals along paths on the mountain in a daily hike.

The establishment is run like any other shelter in that if a new pet comes in, it is automatically spayed or neutered.  The dog is then vaccinated and given full body makeovers, like flea and nit removal.

When a dog or animal checks out, it’s no problem. They return to the world disease free and are released into the general population. This gives the visitors an opportunity to see the animal interacting with others. It also gives the animal a feeling of home. If the dog or animal is not quarantined, then they are free to enjoy the peace that the sanctuary gives the animals.

Territorio de Zaguates has a creative flair and this rolls over into the way they find the pets forever homes. They name the pets, but they also customize the breed to each dog, if the breed is not known. This way people do not feel like they are adopting a mutt, but a special breed of dog.

Without the volunteers and the host of charitable donations, the sanctuary could not stay open for long. A spokesperson for the organization writes, “We have a very small staff but still we manage to do everything from daily picking up the poo and disposing of it properly, to feeding and medicating the dogs, and everything in between.” The staff and volunteers should be commended for a job well done.

There is much more to running a sanctuary than just picking up the poo and medicating the dogs. There is the serious issue of feeding. To feed 700 animals in a day, every day, takes tons of food and tons of time. This is why it is so important to have volunteers that will come in and help on a daily basis.

And whatever you do, do not forget the fact that dogs need beds too. Lots and lots of beds for lots and lots of dogs. Any donation can be used here at the Land of the Strays.

These dogs, if never adopted out, have found their forever home and that is guaranteed at Territorio de Zaguates.