Together with her husband, Alvaro Saumet, the couple aim to house and rescue as many dogs as they could – particularly the older ones and those who require special care.
![](http://www.relayhero.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/980x-4-1.jpg.webp)
Image Credit: Lya Battle
At first, the couple started off with a moderate-sized yard in Escazu – until it proved to be too small to accommodate more dogs.
![](https://www.relayhero.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/980x-5-1.jpg.webp)
Image Credit: Lya Battle
To cope, the couple moved and purchased a bigger property. To care for the dogs, they even hired two in-house caretakers!
![](https://www.relayhero.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/980x-6-1.jpg.webp)
Image Credit: Lya Battle
Costs for this dog facility of theirs were high, thus the couple had to work day jobs to maintain it.
![](https://www.relayhero.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/980x-7-1.jpg.webp)
Image Credit: Lya Battle
Today, in a 146-acre farm near Alajuela, the couple founded a dog sanctuary named Territorio de Zaguates, meaning Land of the Dogs in Spanish. It is also a no-kill shelter.
![](https://www.relayhero.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/980x-8-1.jpg.webp)
Image Credit: Lya Battle