Lya Battle, the creator of Territorio de Zaguates, felt deep regret and fury upon seeing Cala's plight. "The first picture I saw of her showed a pitiful creature robbed of its dignity and ready to give up—a dog whose spirit had been broken and was just waiting for the end to come while living a never-ending nightmare," Battle told The Dodo.

Cala was quickly taken from her tormentor's property by police and sanctuary staff who responded to her distress call. She was sent to a veterinarian, who treated her acute emaciation as well as the wounds caused by the constricting chain. Cala later found refuge in Territorio de Zaguates, where she began a path of physical and mental restoration.