Lya Battle

"Born in Canada in 1967, Lya Battle grew up in Ghana until the age of four, where her Costa Rican mother (a psychologist) and British/Canadian father (a biologist) were stationed. The family then moved to Costa Rica, Lya's home country today. Lya loved all animals all of her life and realized in her early twenties that she most deeply cared about dogs. She then felt compelled to help the stray dogs of Costa Rica who were abandoned and in need of food, care, and shelter. School teacher Lya, along with her husband, businessman Alvaro Samut, began by adopting dogs, eventually housing 120 stray dogs in their small home at their own personal expense. Then Lya inherited a family farm in the Santa Barbara mountains, about an hour outside of the capital city of San Jose. In 2004, Lya and Alvaro decided to relocate there, create a dog refuge/charity, and to offer their "zaguates" (abandoned strays) the freedom to roam their green mountain wilderness. Thus, was born "Territorio de Zaguates" (Land of the Strays). Lya's goal is to provide medical care and home placements for all dogs that walk through their gates, but she is well aware that many will never be adopted. For those, the dogs left behind by society, Territorio de Zaguates welcomes them to their new home and pack. Lya, Alvaro, and volunteer staff now care for 1600 furry friends, relying on donations from dog lovers worldwide to help their canine crusade. Lya and her team hope that one day there will no longer be a need in Costa Rica for shelters, sanctuaries, or dog pounds. But until that day comes, Territorio de Zaguates will continue to offer love, freedom, respect, and acceptance to all those dogs that society has sadly chosen to ignore."