Skip to Content

Hundreds Of Unwanted Dogs Were Left Homeless — Until One Woman Took Them In

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.

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.

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!

Image Credit: Lya Battle

Costs for this dog facility of theirs were high, thus the couple had to work day jobs to maintain it.

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.

Image Credit: Lya Battle