Facebook user Andrew George shared photos from a place called “Territorio de Zaguates” (Land of the Stray Dogs). Located in Costa Rica, it is a refuge for stray dogs. From George’s Facebook page:
The Land of Stray Dogs, or Territorio de Zaguates in Costa Rica is considered one of the best places on the planet for a dog to live. This sprawling refuge allows all of its 900 citizens to range free during the day. They are given fresh flowing water intermittently over the whole property and are given a bed in a sheltered structure where volunteers go to feed and bathe the dogs.
This free range sanctuary explores how a free range environment improves health and adoptability. It is a no kill shelter. Each dog is given a name and a unique breed name of their own (for their egos, lol). If you wish to adopt you can schedule a walking hike on their property, and if any of them choose you, you will be allowed to adopt them.
Of course, anyone is welcome to just come for a free hike to hang out with the dogs
The Land of Stray Dogs is also known for their unique adoption efforts. After realizing one of the biggest hurdles to getting people to adopt the dogs was because the dogs were mixed breeds (mutts), they came up with an incredible idea to show off the strays as “unique breeds.” Watch below to see how they changed the perception of these stray dogs overnight and spurred much higher adoption rates:
Caso: Territorio de Zaguates from GARNIER BBDO on Vimeo.