Who is Lya Battle

Lya Battle, born in Canada in 1967, grew up in Ghana and Costa Rica, her home today. She has always loved all animals, but her deep compassion for dogs led her to help the abandoned and stray dogs of Costa Rica. Along with her husband Alvaro Samut, they adopted dogs and eventually created "Territorio de Zaguates" (Land of the Strays), offering a refuge to dogs in need.

Their goal is to provide medical care and home placements to all dogs that come through their gates, but they are aware that many will never be adopted. Lya, Alvaro, and their volunteer staff care for hundreds of furry friends and rely on donations from dog lovers worldwide to support their canine crusade.

Lya and her team dream of a day when there is no need for shelters or dog pounds, but until then, Territorio de Zaguates offers love, freedom, respect, and acceptance to all those dogs that society has overlooked.