If dogs are a man鈥檚 best friend, Alvaro Saumet won鈥檛 be lonely any time soon.
Saumet is the founder of a canine sanctuary on a Costa Rican mountainside where 700 once mistreated and stray dogs are getting a new lease on life.
All the dogs are spayed or neutered and checked for parasites on arrival before being allowed to roam free on the vast property known as Territorio de Zaguates, or Land of Stray Dogs.
Saumet started the non-profit rescue with his wife eight years ago.
The original idea was to have a nursing home for a few elderly dogs, he said. But soon, people began to drop off abandoned dogs and puppies without their mothers.
Unable to turn away any canine friends in need, the no-kill shelter quickly grew until hundreds of dogs were roaming the property.
Saumet runs the operation with the help of a team of volunteers. Food, medical attention and other needs are all paid for by donors.
The sanctuary is also open to members of the public, where they can come and interact with the dogs.
鈥淚 thought it would be too busy, too crowded a place, but I love dogs and I am delighted,鈥� said one visitor.
Saumet says his mission is to teach people that each animal is unique and to raise awareness about responsible dog ownership.
While 94 per cent of the dogs that come to the shelter are mixed breed, Saumet said they are more difficult to rehome than purebred dogs.
But the Land of Stray Dogs is rebranding the animals, often by making up new breed names.
The dogs are offered up for adoption, but those who aren鈥檛 adopted simply get to stay in the dog sanctuary, playing their days out on the Costa Rican mountainside.
With a report from CTV鈥檚 Genevieve Beauchemin
