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About Marty's Place
Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of senior dogs and ensuring that older dogs whose owners can no longer care for them will have a loving home for life.
At Marty’s Place, located in Upper Freehold Township, NJ, senior dogs – 7 years of age or older – receive physical comfort, emotional care and enrichment in a safe, loving and protected environment. Each dog has ample living space, human and canine companionship, consistent medical and dental care, and access to physically and mentally stimulating activities suited to their age and abilities.
Senior dogs come to us for various reasons, including, but not limited to:
- Relocate or displacement
- Medical issues or transition to a long-term care facility
- Financial challenges
- Estate planning provisions
Senior dogs admitted to Marty’s Place come primarily from pet owners, but there may be instances when they come from a shelter or animal welfare organization
Once with us, dogs have a home for life at Marty’s Place and are able to live out their remaining years at our sanctuary.
For additional information about our facilities, programs and service opportunities contact us.
Marty's Story
His name was Marty. We never knew his complete story, and he was part of our lives for a relatively short period of time. But he left a permanent mark on our hearts. Because of him, we embarked on an incredible journey, forging lasting friendships (both human and canine) along the way.
For too long a time, Marty’s life could most kindly be described as unsettled. Already a senior, he spent 6 months in a shelter, showing no enthusiasm for life. The day before his scheduled euthanasia, the shelter found a rescue organization willing to take Marty. Over the next 18 months, he lived in foster homes and doggie day care facilities. His needs started to increase as he was developing degenerative neuropathy. In December 2009, he found his final home with us.
When Marty arrived at our home during a massive snowstorm, he ambulated marginally. By the spring of 2010, after battling back from bacterial pneumonia, he lost his ability to walk at all. But that didn’t stop Marty from enjoying every day. He loved sitting by the lake, greeting everyone he encountered, barking at every bicycle that went by. He wanted to engage with any dog that came his way.
Marty’s final day at the lake was a beautiful Sunday in November. He spent the afternoon with his human and canine friends, and then exercised in his quad cart. The next day he suffered seizures from which he never recovered.
Marty was a gentle yet persevering soul, inspirational and a reminder to be present and live life well. We will never forget him.
He and other older dogs with similar stories are our motivation for establishing Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary.
Whenever anyone asked Marty’s age, we would respond, “Forever 12.” Our commitment to any dog that comes to Marty’s Place is that they will have a Forever Home.
Missions & Values
Mission:
Mission: Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary provides a safe, loving and protected environment for senior dogs in need of homes. Marty’s Place is dedicated to providing quality care to all residents and peace of mind to pet caregivers in need knowing their senior dogs have forever homes.
Vision:
To enhance the lives of senior dogs by committing to provide them with a forever home in our sanctuary, a long-term foster home or in an adoptive home, and to change the way people value and view older dogs.
Core Values:
Treat every dog that enters Marty’s Place with Respect and Dignity, just as we would expect to be treated.
Insist on the highest Ethics and Integrity in everything we do and from everyone who is part of Marty’s Place.
Treat our dogs with Compassion, especially when faced with the end of life decisions.
Provide the highest Quality of animal care and all other sanctuary programs; ensure that all associated with the sanctuary will have a positive experience.
Work closely with community organizations and individuals to develop and promote animal welfare and humane education programs.
Facilities
Our Sanctuary building, located in Upper Freehold, NJ, blends home-like aspects with features specific to housing senior dogs. It includes:
- Individual Living Spaces for up to 40 dogs
- A large multi-purpose room and several smaller lounges where dogs are free to roam, relax, socialize or snooze
- Outdoor Activity Areas – fenced in and ideal for play, exercise or catching some sun
- Grooming and Bathing areas
- Laundry Room, Pantry and Storage space
- A Treatment Room where resident dogs can receive simple medical care
- Short-Term Isolation Rooms for dogs with health concerns
- Office, Conference and Lounge space for staff, volunteers and visitors.
- 25-plus acres of wooded walking trails.
A second structure houses an enclosed, in-ground swimming pool for water exercise.
Enrollment
Marty’s Place is a Long Term Care Sanctuary — providing residents with a loving home for life.
Minimum requirement: To be considered for admission to Marty’s Place, a dog must be 7 years old at the time of enrollment.
Each animal has a unique personality and individual needs. We have developed a process, working together with the owner, to determine if we can provide the best care required for their pet.
The first step is to complete our Application for Admission. Upon review of the application, Marty’s Place conducts a thorough and thoughtful evaluation that includes medical and behavioral components. Once the evaluations are completed and admission is approved, the dog’s arrival at the sanctuary will be coordinated.
Senior dogs admitted to Marty’s Place come primarily from pet owners, but there may be instances when they come from a shelter or other animal welfare organization.
For more information about our admissions process and fees contact us.