By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
An aging dog who came into the life of Doreen Jakubcak in 2009 became the inspiration for a special place in westernmost Monmouth County.
Jakubcak is the founder and executive director of Marty’s Place, an 8,000-square-foot building on a 25-acre property in Upper Freehold Township.
Marty’s Place opened in October 2015 and when Jakubcak is asked what inspired her to create this loving home for aging dogs, she talks about Marty, a senior dog she adopted seven years ago.
“Marty found us through friends,” Jakubcak told a reporter who visited Marty’s Place on Nov. 16. “That is how we learned of his plight.”
She said Marty had spent time in foster homes and shelters before coming to her home in December 2009.
Jakubcak said that in the spring of 2010, Marty lost his ability to walk after he battled bacterial pneumonia. Marty died in November 2010 after suffering from seizures.
Jakubcak said Marty’s Place was created to provide a home for dogs age 7 or older whose owners are no longer able to care for them for various reasons.
“Once a dog is with us, he has a home for life at Marty’s Place and is able to live out his remaining years at our sanctuary with dignity and compassion,” she said.
Jakubcak, who is a resident of Spring Lake, said she has spent more than 30 years working with dogs.
Marty’s Place has individual living spaces for dogs, a grooming and bathing room, a treatment room, a large multi-purpose room, a laundry room, a pantry, isolation rooms for dogs with health concerns, conference and lounge space for staff members, volunteers and visitors, an outdoor activity area enclosed by a fence and an indoor pool where the dogs can exercise and swim.
“Swimming has been shown to be an effective, low-impact exercise for dogs, especially older dogs and those with mobility issues or other conditions,” Jakubcak said.
The building has a family room with a television, couches and mats where the canines can spend time together and relax.
Resident dogs at Marty’s Place receive medical and dental care from an on-site veterinarian.
“Every dog that comes here is not merely existing, they are truly living. They are getting a lot of mutual care from our volunteers,” Jakubcak said.
Marty’s Place does not accept aggressive older dogs because that is not the mission of the organization.
Payment for a dog who lives at Marty’s Place is based on an individual’s circumstances, she said, adding, “Our priority is to understand the situation an owner is facing with their dog. Once we discuss the situation in detail and explore if there are any other options for the dog, then we discuss our application process. These are very emotional and gut-wrenching discussions. We discuss their contribution based on their circumstances.”
Jakubcak said Marty’s Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and said all of the money that is donated goes to support the care all the dogs.
At present, there are 11 dogs living at Marty’s Place. A group of about 40 volunteers are responsible for walking and exercising the dogs, cleaning the dogs’ rooms, doing laundry, grooming and feeding the dogs, and helping to maintain the grounds.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of life at the sanctuary,” Jakubcak said.