Ben’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary in Freeville opened in late 2022 as a permanent home for nine senior dogs that might otherwise be overlooked in shelters. Senior dogs often face significantly lower adoption rates compared to their younger counterparts, leading to a high risk of euthanasia.
Jeff Carney founded the sanctuary after closing on the property in October 2022 and moving in December 2022. He has converted a spacious farmhouse into a no‑cage refuge surrounded by a sprawling, fenced yard where the dogs can roam and rest on comfy beds.
Carney described life at the sanctuary through small, everyday routines that structure the dogs’ days. “Mika wakes us up and makes sure everyone has breakfast by six,” he said, naming the 15‑year‑old black Labrador retriever who arrived after being surrendered to the SPCA of Tompkins County. “Whether it’s for a week or for two years, they’re here for as long as they have,” he added, explaining the sanctuary’s commitment to permanency. This dedication comes at a critical time, as the need for such sanctuaries is heightened by the fact that senior dogs can spend up to four times longer in shelters than younger animals.
The nine residents arrived through a mix of shelter surrenders and rescues. The SPCA of Tompkins County surrendered Mika and Stella, a quirky bulldog from the same shelter. Central New York SPCA found Reggie, a cocker spaniel, during a welfare check and he was adopted the next day. Other dogs at the property include Walter, an 18‑year‑old chihuahua surrendered when his family could no longer care for him; Monkey, a small dog who often curls on Carney’s lap after being taken from an elderly owner; Wyatt, a nervous black mutt abandoned in a ditch; Anya, a large shepherd rescued from a hoarding situation; and Max, Carney’s own dog who moved with him to Freeville.
Inside the farmhouse there are no crates, only beds and quiet corners. The sanctuary’s design reflects Carney’s belief about caring for older animals: “Most senior dogs just want food, they want love, they want a quiet, safe space. They’re not hard to take care of,” he said, adding that small comforts matter when dogs are coping with trauma or loss. By offering this environment, Ben’s Place not only enhances the quality of life for these dogs but also contributes to lowering overall shelter populations by providing permanent homes for those who are most at risk.
Community support has been central to the sanctuary’s early months. Donations to the Ben’s Place website and an Amazon Wishlist have helped furnish the home and cover basic needs, Carney said. That local backing arrived as the sanctuary began receiving dogs from area shelters and welfare checks.
The property closure and move in 2022 marked a quick transition from concept to operation for Carney. He has worked directly with local organizations to take in animals that need long‑term care. The relationship with regional shelters has provided a steady, if modest, flow of dogs who benefit from a quieter, permanent placement than a traditional shelter can offer.
Visitors to the property encounter a calm domestic scene rather than a typical kennel environment: dogs napping on couches, sunlight in the yard and a single caregiver managing routines and medical needs. Carney has spoken about the emotional side of the work, acknowledging the difficulty of end‑of‑life care while saying, “Knowing that makes it easier to bridge that hard day.” This commitment to emotional well-being underpins the sanctuary’s mission, reinforcing the vital role it plays in the community.
Ben’s Place represents a local, permanent alternative for older animals surrendered by owners or transferred from shelters. The sanctuary’s roster today includes named dogs from multiple intake scenarios — surrenders, welfare checks and rescues — and operates with direct community donations and partnerships with nearby shelters. By adopting senior dogs, the sanctuary not only saves individual lives but also helps to alleviate the overall burden on shelters, reducing euthanasia rates and ensuring that these loving companions receive the care and attention they deserve.
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