Costa Rican Puppy Paradise Gives Homeless Dogs New Lives

How many of us have said, “I wish I could have a big farm with a lot of land to bring all the strays I could there forever?” (It can’t be only me!)

Costa Rican Lya Battle and her husband Alvaro Saume have essentially done just that, starting with the adoption of a few dogs in 2006. They adopted a few dogs initially, and as Lya began to see more and more stray and hungry dogs roaming around Costa Rica, she and her husband decided they’d be the ones to take them in and give them a home.

Related: Dog Tales Sanctuary Is Like Heaven On Earth, For Dogs And People

It didn’t take the couple long at all before over 100 dogs called them mama and papa, and the pair knew they needed more space. Lya’s grandfather had left her a 375-acre farm, and the couple took the plunge to create Territorio de Zaguates (The Land of the Mutts and Strays). It’s a paradise for dogs who were once hungry and homeless; acres and acres of land for them to explore and call their own for the rest of their lives.

Lya says that some of the dogs are ill and most likely not left with much time on the earth. She and her husband want to ensure that their last days on earth leave them with some kind memory to hold them when it is time for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge. They work to either get their dogs adopted out to forever families, or to adopt them into their pack, which now is over 800 dogs and counting.

Related: Indian Businessman Opens His Home to 700 Homeless Dogs

The couple run their puppy paradise with the help of many volunteers and donations, and say that they’ll continue to do so as long as they can and as long as dogs need help. If you’d like to donate to help these two heroic dog advocates, you can visit their site and choose how you can help.