Dogs roam free in beautiful 'Land of Strays,' where more than 1,000 abandoned pups enjoy paradise

[yortsed snacilbuper]

At Territorio de Zaguates, in Costa Rica, once-stray dogs now roam the beautiful sun kissed fields and woodlands, while the shelter's owners and support staff care for their every need

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news/dogs-roam-free-in-beautiful-land-of-strays-where-more-than-1000-abandoned-pups-enjoy-paradise/ar-AAwCuGX?ocid=spartanntp

[hlthe2b]

1. Just trying to spay/neuter and vaccinate those animals would be a tremendous effort...

But, I'd bet the prevalence of Heartworm infection in those dogs is tremendous. While they can deal with the intestinal worms, heartworm treatment is so expensive and resource intensive, I'd bet they will have to try to adopt them with active heartworm disease and that will be tough.

As cool as their free-roaming (though assisted) living status is, given the alternative, they are acting as a tremendous amplifier of infection. Just some of the challenges such an effort is facing...

I wish I had a ready solution, but at least they have a chance to survive....

[MineralMan]

3. It beats the heck out of starving on the streets.

Do you have an alternative you'd like to propose for Costa Rica? Funding suggestions, perhaps?

[hlthe2b]

4. My post explains the complexities of this problem. I've actually WORKED on pet adoption, have YOU?

Next you are going say you own a rescue so you know what it takes to mount large scale relocation/adoption efforts in crisis areas.

If I had lottery winnings or even had no financial difficulties myself, you'd be right to ask me what I am going to do instead. That is not the case. I'm not disagreeing with what they are TRYING to do and I believe I made that abundantly clear.

I am not deserving of attack for merely pointing out the difficulties and your snide comment toward me is inappropriate.

[MineralMan]

5. I'm not attacking you. I'm explaining that whatever good happens

to those dogs is just fine with me. They were starving strays, living on the street. Now, they live where some people care and where they can mingle freely with other dogs. Clearly, they are happy in their new surroundings.

Will some become ill? Of course. But they would have even more often in their previous state.

Always looking for the negative aspects of something is easy, but not necessarily productive. I see a bunch of dogs enjoying their new surroundings. I don't see disease and misery. One can look at it either way. I prefer to find the good in situations where I cannot contribute anything.

Others prefer, well, something else.

If you have suggestions for improving those dogs' lots, then let's hear them. Otherwise, they seem to be happy with their situation. Certainly it's far better than their previous lot.

[hlthe2b]

6. Again you attack me for describing the complexities not criticizing the effort itself.

You EXPLAIN NOTHING to me as you clearly don't know what you are talking about but your condescension is noted.

[MineralMan]

10. You asked me a question. I answered it in a separate reply.

You made an assumption that I had no knowledge or experience with animal rescue and welfare. I explained my experience.

Good day to you.

[MineralMan]

7. My wife and I own two dogs. One is a rescued lab beagle.

It lived the first three years of its life in a laboratory, being experimented on. The Beagle Freedom Project, which we support financially, arranges for such dogs to be released to foster homes and for adoption. We were lucky enough to foster and then adopt Sam, through that organization. We've had him now for over three years, and he has done very well. Early on, though, he had behavioral problems and severe anxiety due to his time in that lab. The Beagle Freedom Project, with our help, has worked to enact laws in several states that force organizations to release such dogs from those labs, instead of killing them.

Our other dog is a shelter rescue. We adopted it when my wife, who worked as a volunteer in a no-kill shelter noticed that it had been there for many months without adoption. It was a transfer from another state and was fat and old and not a likely candidate for adoption. It's a friendly, loving beagle/basset mix, now about 10 years old.

We own cats that are rescue animals, as well.


So, yes, we have worked on these issues, and continue to do so.

[hlthe2b]

11. Great glad you own a rescue animal. That is NOT participating in rescue relocation efforts.

as I have with more than 125 dogs and cats brought to Denver from Puerto Rico last year, the countless horses, goats and domestic animals evacuated out of wildlife areas along Northern Colorado's front range wildfires in recent years , and dating back to Katrina, assisting with the hundreds of animals brought to Denver out of the affected Gulf Coast areas.

So, when you have ACTUALLY participated in these large scale efforts, get back to me... Otherwise you do not know anything about what it takes.

[MineralMan]

14. As I said, and as you missed,

My wife and I have been involved in the work of Beagle Freedom Project, an national organization dedicated to ending laboratory experimentation on animals. We have also volunteered at shelters here in Minnesota and in California, before we moved here.

Sam, our lab rescue beagle, has accompanied us to many gatherings in support of lab animal rescue. He, and we, are ambassadors for that effort.

You did not even read my post, apparently. Goodbye. I have no more time for this.

[hlthe2b]

15. Then you ought to be appreciative of a discussion of complexities and not attacking others

for merely discussing what it it takes. Again, go on and pat yourself on the back,, because with that attitude, no one else is going to.

[MineralMan]

16. Uff da!

I still maintain that the effort underway for those dogs in Costa Rica is excellent. The dogs are happier. They are being cared for. They have shelter and safe space to roam in. Their lot has been improved.

I'm glad for them. A perfect solution will not occur. An ideal environment will not happen. Improvement of their lives is a good thing. I celebrate that, instead of looking for flaws. Flaws are easy to find. A better life is not. They have that better life, thanks to those good people. I'm glad of that.

I'm not sure why you're pissed off at me today. I hope you feel better soon.

[zipplewrath]

17. Don't argue with the clueless

People are all to willing to display at great length their ignorance on almost any topic. They won't be impressed with your attempts to explain knowledge they do not have. Quite the opposite, they'll attempt to explain why it is unrelated or inconsequential.

[hlthe2b]

18. ...

I commend your wisdom.

[pnwmom]

19. Would there be any difference in the rate of heartworm infection in their life now,

versus living as strays on the streets?

I have no idea -- just wondering.

[smirkymonkey]

2. K&R

This is wonderful! I am so happy for these dogs and so grateful to the owners and support staff for keeping this going.

[Scurrilous]

8. I wonder how the neighborhood squirrels feel about this.

[mcar]

9. We were in Costa Rica last month

Lots of dogs roaming around, but most seemed to have a home. This is a wonderful thing for those who don't.

[RandomAccess]

13. Beautiful quote

from the owner:

Lya said: "Working with these animals reminds us on a daily basis that the only moment that counts is the present - that forgiving and letting go is the first step on the way to happiness.

"I see broken souls walk in through our gates on a daily basis, and all it takes to see them mend is a soft touch and a kind word. No humans are capable of such loyalty and such nobleness.

"To gain their love and trust is an honor I get to enjoy day by day.

"To be surrounded by their love for life and their happiness constantly restores my own soul, which, on a daily basis, gets broken by humanity’s cruelty.

"Animals - especially dogs - are amazing healers and masters of forgiveness.

"Being accepted by them is a true gift that not everyone gets a chance to aspire to."

[Duppers]

24. So touching.

Thanks for posting this. I need a tissue now.

The US has a lot to learn.



I want to see Costa Rica. My sister, brother, nephew have been and said they loved it.

[ProudLib72]

20. This is my idea of paradise!

I want to move to PR and join the team. Soooooo many doggies!

[calimary]

21. How cool!

[leftyladyfrommo]

22. If left to roam homeless on the streets,

Last edited Wed May 2, 2018, 08:35 PM - Edit history (1)

foraging thru garbage heartworms are the least of their problems.

At least here there is food, water and shelter. It is a vast improvement over what they had.

[Raine]

23. THANKS

for posting this!

[Duppers]

25. Donation link

https://donate.territoriodezaguates.com/?utm_source=carters&utm_medium=carters%5D

Sent a few dollar; please join me.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

27. "Sent a few dollar; please join me."

I'm planning on donating a few bucks.

[Duppers]

28. Meant that for everyone reading thread.

Hope you didn't think I meant you personally.
Am so happy you are however.

[Polly Hennessey]

26. Land of Strays

Looks like a paradise for those dogs. They now have a life instead of an existence. I’m with you Mineral Man. Positive possibilities instead of a life of abandonment on the streets. We have also brought rescue dogs and cats into our home. Most rewarding thing we have ever done.